A Sensible Dinner - Pearlieq's Journal

[Jane E.]

Pearliq, I love your dress for the cruise. You'll look great in it. That dress alone is motivation enough to drop the 5-10lbs to feel comfortable in it! Tomorrow I take QT to the vet for her checkup. I'm not looking forward to packing her up and taking her in. I made a morning appointment to get it over with as quickly as possible. Watch out for the slush & have fun planning your cruise!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,

Your dress for the cruise is gorgoues...I love it. I am sure that you are going to look great in it!!!

You are doing a great job, keep up the good work!!!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there!!!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi! Hope all is well.

Happy Hump Day!!!

 

[pearlieq]

3/8/06

8:45am

--1 banana

11:00am

--2 sm slices of co-jack cheese

Well, I actually got up and around this morning, and ate something vaguely approaching breakfast. Then I finally made it to Trader Joe's to get the rest of the groceries. I ate very badly yesterday, but I at least managed to cut myself off in the early afternoon and I didn't eat anymore after that. Still, it's going to take a few days to work through all of this and get it out of my system.

1:00pm

--1/2 can lentil soup
--1/2 mini baguette
--1 container strawberry yogurt
--7 strawberries

It was so nice to see fresh strawberries again! It was actually up near 50 here today, so I went out for a nice walk. That was so humbling--I've really lost a lot of ground. Still, I know focusing on it and getting depressed about it isn't going to help anything. I just need to get back out there and get working again.

In better news, DH is coming home early! They were able to get a day flight rather than the late evening one they had scheduled. I'll be so happy to see him again!

2:30pm

--1/2 mini baguette
--1 T butter

I love really hard crusted baguettes--they're just so much fun to tear into and enjoy!

4:30pm

--2 organic low-fat hotdogs in light buns w/ketchup
--1/2 cup sweetend applesauce

I got really hungry again, but at least I was smart about it and actually ate something instead of just ignoring it until I wound up at Arby's. That's something, right?

7:40pm

--2 sm slices white bread w/whipped butter
--2 or 3 potato wedges w/cheese, bacon, & chive dip
--1/2 piece garlic bread
--1/2 giant biscuit w/honey
--few bites mashed potatoes
--2-3 small bites DH's chicken & noodles
--1 breaded chicken breast
--1 cup ice cream
--1/2 cup berry cobbler

Wow--this looks like so much more than it felt like at the time. DH came home, and to celebrate we went out to my new favorite restaurant, Claim Jumper. I really can't believe how amazing it is there, but the portions are just out of control. I felt pretty good about it, though, and wound up tasting a lot but finishing nothing. I stayed in pretty good control and wound up leaving just the slightest bit full, instead of painfully stuffed like ususal.

In retrospect, I really could have done without the bread and will definitley pass on it next time. I'm also a little ticked at myself about the ice cream. I don't even know why we ordered it--it just seemed like we "should". Then, when it came, I didn't even like it all that much, but I ate it because by golly I had paid a fortune for it and I couldn't take it home and I couldn't let it go to waste...

 

[Jane E.]

Great job! You were smart to plan your meal instead of ending up starving at Arby's. When I allow myself to get hungry thats the time I usually end up with an unplanned stop at a fast food place too. Its those everyday decisions that can make or break us. I've noticed a huge change in your eating habits since the beginning of your journal. Also, congrats on getting outside for a walk. It must've felt wonderful after being cooped up for the cold weather. You're doing great, Pearliq & you'll have a wonderful time on your upcoming trip because you're getting healthier!

By the way, QT is back to normal!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,

Great job on sticking to it and not heading to Arbys.....I hate those times!

You are doing a great job, keep up the good work.

Happy Thursday!

 

[pearlieq]

3/9/06

--8:45am

--1/2 giant biscuit w/honey

Leftovers from last night. I think we'll be having more of them for dinner tonight, though I've got to throw some veggies in with them.

11:00am

--the last of the spinach lasagna

This was nice and hearty. I'm hoping it holds me for a while. I desperately want to go out for a walk. It's supposed to hit 60, but it's also supposed to rain for most of the day. I'm hoping to catch a lull in the storm, but if not, maybe I'll just head out in the rain. Right now it looks more like a drizzle, and if it's warm, I don't see the harm. This is how badly I want to get out!!!

*****************************************************
Well, things wound up pretty ugly yesterday afternoon. I did get my walk, but I also ate almost all of the leftovers from Claim Jumper, plus 2 hot dogs, and snack pack of cookies.

I was able to stop, which was good, but then DH wanted pizza for dinner. I kept myself to 2 slices, but I probably could have done without.

 

[pearlieq]

3/10/05

8:45am

--1 large-ish slice pizza
--6 good sized strawberries

At least I was hungry this morning. That's a pretty good sign. I took myself to Curves this morning as well. I was only able to do about 3/4 of a workout, which was disappointing, but I'm sure I'll build back up to it soon. I'm walking in a parade tomorrow, and I might do some strength training on my own, and I'm thinking of going to yoga on Sunday. I really, really, really need to get back to a daily workout, for so many reasons. It just does so much to rev metabolism and help with my insulin resistance. It's more effective than any pill I've ever taken.

12:15pm

--PB&J on whole grain bread
--1/2 cup pretzels
--1/2 cup grapes
--2 or 3 small cheese cubes

My day plans fell through, so I wound up calling a neighbor for lunch. We wound up packing a picnic and going up to a local playground so the kids could run around while we chatted. Unfortunately, things didn't really go all that well. I had fun talking to my friend and I think her kids are really neat, but their behavior is awful!!! I've tried ignoring it and laughing it off, but it's been getting on my nerves more and more lately and I feel like I've hit the breaking point!!! She absolutely refuses to discipline her kids!!! They demand things from her and issue commands and she just does it, without asking them to rephrase or use "please". They just order her around and know they can get away with it. They're whiny and hysterical. The middle child (who is 6) cries at everything. I lost count of how many times she burst into tears in the 3 hours I was with them today, but I remember one of them was because the wind was too cold. Is that normal for that age? I've never met a 6 year old like that. I just don't know if I can really hang out with her much any more. It's just so unpleasant to listen to these kids demand and whine and cry and for her not to do ANYTHING about it!

3:45pm

--leftover chicken from Claim Jumper (maybe 1/2 breast?)
--1 orange
--few grapes
--2 organic reduced fat hot dogs on light buns

This was a yummy snack, and I'm now going to the library so I don't get into anymore trouble this afternoon!!!

7:30pm

--asian chicken salad
--4" section sourdough baguette
--german chocolate pastry

Oh, things would have been so nice if I'd just ended it here. But no...

8:30pm

--2 double stack cheeseburgers
--small Frosty

I still can't believe I did this. I was starving at Panera and wolfed everything down, and was full, but still got this as well. I'm so mad at myself and so ashamed. I knew I shouldn't be doing it. I could have stopped it. I don't know why I did this and I'm really, really upset about it.

 

[pearlieq]

3/11/06

8:15am

--6 strawberries
--1 cup lf yogurt
--1/2 cup oatmeal squares

My old standby breakfast. It's really tasty and actually reminds me morning at WDW last year...

Today IS going to be a better day. I will say one thing. I used to lack motivation, but not anymore. That's one problem solved. I sitll have all my others, but at least I have some drive to address them.

 

[goldcupmom]

I've been lurking again & not posting.... sigh.....

But, WOW!! Your Cruise dress is INCREDIBLE!!! You will look so great in it!

How are the kitties? I haven't read much about them lately.

Sounds like you're doing ok at maneuvering through the bumps on this journey. Wendy's was a bump, but you are handling it well and learning from it.

Hang in there! Did Chi get the storms, or was it just south & central? One more thing I don't miss about the midwest....Tornado season!!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,

Just wanted to pop in and say hi.....You are doing great....Live and learn huh!!!!

Keep it up! Happy hump day!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

have a great week!

 

[pearlieq]

3/22/06 - A New Kind of Journal

For the past several months I haven't felt as motivated to keep up my journal as I used to. Not coincidentally, this was also a time where I really lacking motivation for healthy living and steadily packing pounds back on. You do the math on that one...

I've been feeling a lot better lately. The advent of spring has really lifted my mood and woken me up a bit. I realized I miss my journal. I don't really miss what it once was (recording every bit I ate) but I do miss talking and sharing stories.

I've really been feeling good for the last few weeks. What's been working for me really well lately is a return to intuitive eating. So far I'm just worrying about eating only when I'm hungry. I haven't been putting to much pressure on myself about what to eat when I'm hungry, though I'm trying to watch portions on simple carbs, and making sure I get fruits, veggies, and enough fiber. This feels like something I can do--something I could make a go of for the rest of my life. It feels more natural than the other 8,000 diets and eating plans I've tried.

I've also come to realize I just can't keep ANY junk/trigger foods in the house. In a perfect world I'd be able to buy a pack or Oreos and have them last a week or two, but I've come to accept that I just don't work that way. I only buy treat foods in single serve packs, and I force myself to go out to get them when I want them. It gives me mandatory time to think as I'm driving to the store--kind of a snacking Brady Bill.

Other than that, things have been going well. I've just gone through a very busy and stressful 6 weeks. I've been swamped and stressed with both dueling work projects and helping DH with the county elections. Luckily, both are now passed, and I can get back to a calmer existence. I've still got one major work project, but if I just focus, break it into managable chunks, and don't let myself procrastinate, it should be fine.

I'm so excited about our cruise this May!!! We're almost at the 6 week point. I'm starting to get clothes together and make up lists of what I still need to buy. I think I've given up on the idea of stuffing myself into the one dress I had for semi-formal night. I've got another I can substitute, so I'm just going to quit worrying about trying to get into the other one. I just can't wait to get away to somewhere warm and tropical and to get to spend a whole week with DH!

The kitties are doing pretty well. I feel bad because I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would have liked over these past several weeks. They're now on a ridiculously expensive food that's made out of venison (I'm feeding my cats Bambi ) but it seems to be keeping their allergies under control and they like it better than the previous food, which was made out of ducks!

One last thing. I promised a friend of mine I'd write this down so we can see if she turns out to be right. She called me today and said she had a dream about my daughter. She said she was about 11 years old, had DH's coloring, and she thought she was an only child. Time will tell, I guess...

 

[goldcupmom]

Pearlie-

I like your new, improved journal! Your outlook sounds good.

I hear you on the junk/trigger foods. My house is loaded with them for DH and kids and there are days that I just succumb without even thinking.

Almost cruise time..... WOW!!!!

I really want to take one for our 25th in 2007, but DH doesn't like the idea... Oh well!

Give the kitties a squeeze for me!

 

[pearlieq]

3/29/06 - What's the opposite of running away?

Since work has been so stressful and consuming for the last few months, DH and I stole the opportunity to run away for the past couple of days. It was ridiculously expensive, but I'm almost OK with that. It was fun, and nice to get away, but not as relaxing as I'd hoped, mostly because of crowds and the normal hassles of travel. Still, there were some great moments and I'm really glad we did it.

I'm also pretty darn happy with how I managed food while we were gone. I did a great job keeping my food intake moderate and hunger-driven, which was an accomplishment seeing as how I was surrounded by very tempting food all the time! I think I slipped a little on the last day, but I'm OK with that. Of course, I was up 4 pounds this morning, but hopefully that shakes out as I get back to normal at home.

 

[goldcupmom]

Where did you go? Sounds wonderful!!

I LOVE to run away!!

 

[pearlieq]

3/31/06

Happy morning! Lots of sun! Too bad I feel so icky! I caught a bit of something, and it seems to have stuck with me. I was really hoping to get to Curves today, but I just don't feel up to it.

On a good note, the vacation weight is gone, but lets hope that doesn't come right back as soon as I'm feeling better (as for where we went, we kept it under wraps from family and friends, but let's just say we got an AP rate on the room... ). I really need to get serious about dropping a few pounds, or that not-exactly-inexpensive cruise dress is NOT going to fit! I've already given up on my dress for semi-formal night. I need to make this one work!

I'm actually doing pretty OK on the eating front. I've been pretty good at waiting for hunger, I just need to buckle down and get a bit more disciplined about it. The bigger peice for me is going to be getting active. Especially now that the weather's nice, I really need to be getting out of the house more. There's only so long you can stare at a TV or computer screen, eh?

I've got some work stuff to do today, and the ideal would be for me to just buckle down and get it done--it's not that complicated or anything. I just hate having it all hang over my head! I also got the sad news that my boss is moving to a different part of our company. He was the best manager I've ever had. I'm happy to see him move up, but really bummed to see him go.

Oh well, might as well get on with the day, eh? Everyone have a good one!

 

[pearlieq]

4/3/06

So the good news is I tried on my cruise dress last night and DH was able to get it all the way zipped up and all. Sitting down was quite the adventure. Between the tightness of the dress and the boning in the bodice, I had excellent posture!

In other words, get me to the gym!

I reallly do need to motivate myself to go work out. I've been walking some but I need to get in a few more hard core workouts this month to get the loss I'm hoping for before the cruise.

Eating has been going pretty well. I slipped a litte Saturday and more yesterday, but none of it was too bad. I'm feeling pretty good today. I know what I need to do, and it's just refreshing to actually have the motivation to do something about it.

I'm so glad it's finally getting warmer. Aside from the regular benefits, it's also nice because it's finally warm enough for the kitties to stay downstairs and nap next to me. During the winter they would always go sleep upstairs because it's a good 10 degrees warmer up there. But now that the weather is nicer they're finding the downstairs to be an acceptable napping spot again. We're almost at the end of the morning nap now. Diana is curled into a tiny little ball at the end of the couch. She actually has her little nose tucked down underneath her legs--it's really cute! Magellan is hanging out in the cat tree by the window. He just got up and turned around before settling back down to sleep. I'm going to miss them so much when we go on our cruise! That's the one big drawback of travelling. It's so hard to leave them behind!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Pearlieq!

I thought I would stop by and see how you are doing. I hope that you are doing well. Do you have any trips planned to WDW in the near future? I know you are going on a cruise soon. Hope you have a great time!

Take care!

 

[pearlieq]

4/5/06

We're officially one month until we leave for our cruise!!!

I'm getting a shopping list together, trying to keep the eating under control, and still working on getting myself more active. I have one month left to make a difference!

Otherwise, things are going pretty well. Work has slowed down for DH, which is nice, except he keeps calling me at 4:15 in the afternoon saying he's on his way home and what do I want to do for dinner. I have to gently point out to him that I'm nowhere near old enough to be eating dinner before 5:00pm! I'm having a slow week as well, though it should pick up for me very soon and continue to be crazy-busy until we leave for the cruise. I am taking advantage of it being slow today to get some household chores done and to meet up with a friend for lunch. I'm also waiting for an important phone call today, so my nerves are a little jangled.

I hope everyone has a great day!