Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Amanda

Thank you for the post you left in my journal. I appreciate your support!

I hope that today is a wonderful day for you! Take care!!!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

I am feeling the need to journal some stuff - this has nothing to do with weight loss so please feel free to skip it.

I use to be a people pleaser - I use to do anything to avoid a confrontation. Over the last couple of years I've gotten to the point where I realized I can 't please everyone and I just need to worry about myself and DH and as long as we are happy then who cares about everyone else. But I still have the strong urge to people please and I actually have to stop myself from doing so.

I have been stressing about our decision to go to WDW in December 2005, not because of money, but because of what people will say. I'll be upfront DH and I are DINKS (Dual Income No Kids) and do not plan on having children in the near future (think 5 + years). We make a decent living - it has doubled in the last year and we really enjoy traveling. I know that if we tell family (mostly his) that we are planning on 3 vacations next year that they are going to flip. They'll start lecturing us about how we spend our money, and then the evil green monster will present itself. Part of me says, "I work hard for this extra money and I can spend it anyway I like." Another part says, "What if they are right and you are being stupid with your money?"

And it is not even worrying so much that we are doing something wrong with our money - but more having to deal with the confrontation. My SIL is a SAHM and they are on a very strict budget. Sure they do things with their money that I don't agree with - but I also keep my opinion to myself. They on the other hand seem to think that Brian needs to be told what to do with his money.

The people pleaser in me wants to cancel the idea of the trip before it is even off the ground just to avoid the confrontation. Another part of me says, "When will you ever have the chance to do this again?"

I know that I shouldn't care what people think of how I spend my money, and usually I don't - except when they have to say something about it. I usually put off telling them we've made vacation plans as long as I can. We only told my SIL our Cruise plans for next year last month - we had the reservations since early May.

I should also state (for anyone who has read this far ) that my SIL has not been supportive of any decision we have made. We bought a new car, she disagreed. We decided to move, she complained abou the are (and then proceeded to buy a house in the exact same area not even 30 days later!), We went on our last Disney Vacation and they shook their heads, We've decided to wait to have kids - she complains about that.


I'm torn on what to do.

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Amanda,

You didn't ask for my opinion, but we all know I'm opinionated. I say go. You should enjoy every second of couple time you can. You should go on every trip that you can, whether it it a long weekend or a 3 week vacation. When you have kids, you'll still go to WDW, and you will love it. BUT it will be different. The focus will be on the child's experience, and it is wonderful. Enjoy your time as a DINK. My only regret is that we didn't travel more before Katie was born. I say travel.

As for SIL, may I make another suggestion. "SIL, you are an amazing parent, and we're proud of all you do for our nephews. We aren't ready for that step, and until we are we will enjoy our time together. We are fortunate that while we are both working that we can do something that we love to do together, travel. It is a way for us to reconnect and we love our time together. Thank you for your concern, but try to be happy for us."

You have nothing to feel bad about. We all have choices to make, and yours are good ones. Get excited, you are going to WDW!

Beth

 

[septbride2002]

And now I'm crying - Beth! Thanks!

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning! I don't know why I ever get off program because I feel so much better and look so much better when I am actuallyon program Maybe I'm looking for punishment .

I had a really good day yesterday
Recap:
B: 3 slices of Turkey - 1.5 carbs
L: Grilled Cat Fish (0 carbs) and Broccoli with cheese - 5 carbs
S: 2 cream savers 7.2 carbs
S: Grapes - 15 carbs
D: Seasoned Chicken Breast (1 carb), Greenbeans (2carbs) and half cup of Lipton Noodles and Sauce (16 carbs)
Total = 47.7 carbs

I also snacked on some Beef Jerkey in the evening but that was 0 carbs as well.

No walking or running last night. DH just looked so miserable - he has been working 11 hour days and just looks beat when he hits the door.

Today's plan:
B: Eggs w/Sausage or Bacon - 5 carbs
L: Tuna Salad/Left over Chicken Breast and Veggie
D: Hot Dogs (one w/bun and one w/o) DH will have chips and I will either have celery sticks or something else.
S: Cream Savers and Grapes

I am going to try and go home and make some sugar free jello to have around the house. We are also planning on going for a walk run since DH only has to work a 10 hour day today.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, I read your post yesterday and didn't know how to respond. Beth's post matched my feelings exactly - well said, Beth!!

I also think that it's OK to put boundaries on family discussions. You and your DH are not obligated to discuss your finances with anyone else. You can politely, with a smile, tell relatives that you are not discussing finances with them. Then just refuse to reply to any comments they choose to make. A smile with no reply can go a long way toward letting people know that you choose not talk about that area of your lives.

I know your DH is tired, but please don't let that derail your training. Maybe he can go along, sit on the sidelines and time you if he's not up to working out. If the long days will continue, you may have to find another training buddy for those nights when he's not available. Heck, at least you can put on some funky music and dance for 1/2 an hour before he gets home!

I hope you have a fabulous day!!

 

[lulu201]

, Amanda. You and DH have every right to do whatever you want to do and to make decisions that make sense to you. Period. The End. No need for further discussion from anyone.
It amazes me, however, that other people--usually family members--feel THEY have the right to comment on these decisions when no one has asked their opinion! My own personal response to these comments--and believe me, we get them on subjects ranging from our home and our jobs to our body shapes (!)--is no comment at all. I just kind of look at the one issuing the comment and then change the subject. If they persist, I will say "we're happy with our decision regarding ________ and that's what matters."

Amanda, the lessons you're learning now in dealing with this stuff will last you a lifetime. I was a people (in-law) pleaser until I hit 40 and then something happened. I don't know what it was--maybe I just felt that I'd hit my stride or I'd reached a place where I didn't have to answer to anyone else or maybe I just wised up--but I decided that others didn't have the right to lay their opinions all over me. Sometimes I have to be more assertive (particularly when it comes to comments re: DD) and say
"I don't to discuss "such and such" any more," but slowly they're getting the message. (DD is a vegetarian--this has created at least 10 years of critiques of what she eats at every family function.)

Lastly, Amanda, try to laugh it off if you can. Families are
and we have to just accept that! Be happy you and DH are in a position to enjoy your couple time with travel and fun!
Enjoy it with no looking back!

Erin

 

[lulu201]

Heehee, I posted the above message and saw that Doreen had posted in the meantime. Looks like she and I have similiar coping strategies! Hey, Doreen, maybe we're related?!

E.

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks Doe and Erin for answering my post from yesterday. I am feeling much better today in regards to the situation. Plus I'm trying to take on a cross that bridge when we get there attitutude since we don't have to tell them right now what we are planning on doing.

Exercise - I know we have slacked off a little this week but we do plan on getting back in the game. DH does not like me to go to the track alone so going without him really isn't an option and when I say he looked miserable I mean he comes home and goes straight to bed. But today should be better.

Recap so far:
B: eggs and 2 sausage patties - 3 carbs
L: 2 hot dogs - one w/bun and one w/o, Celery sticks with Cream Cheese = 28 carbs
S: Frozen Grapes - 15 carbs
D: Bratwurst - no buns for me, DH will have corn and I don't know yet what my side dish will be.

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Amanda,

Sounds like you are having a great day. I can understand how DH is feeling after long shift. Sleep is the best thing for him. Have a good evening.
Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amanda,

Sending your way. I agree with what Beth, Doe, and Erin have already said. You and your DH have every right to do what you think is best for the two of you; not anyone else. I think it's wonderful that you are able to take those vacations next year! We live in a society that drives us to work, work, work. We all need some time to relax and recharge our batteries. And I say the more often you can vacation, the better! (Especially if it involves a certain mouse. )

I hope you have a wonderful Friday! Take good care of you!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

Well dinner plans changed yesterday and I went over the 55 carbs but only slightly. DH and I got our run in last night although we only did 2 miles instead of the usual 3.

Weighed in today and lost a pound this week - considering the very high carb weekend I had I am willing to take the 1 lb. I haven't done measurements yet because I couldn't find the tape measure this morning.

Menu today:
B: 2 scrambled eggs and 1 slice of cheese - 3 carbs
L: ??? Not sure yet lately I haven't been in the mood for anything. There are lots of low carb items though so I'll be eating one of them - not to exceed 10 carbs
S: Grapes - 15 carbs
D: Need to eat the Bratwurst from last night - 3 carbs per Brat, no buns
Exercise: I am going to go for my walk
S: Low Carb Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream - yummy!

I am feeling really sluggish today and I am hoping to break through that. I really need a soda or coffee but have no money on me. Hopefully my water and breakfast will help to pep me up a bit.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

ANOTHER POUND GONE!!

WOO-HOO!! Good for you, Amanda!! You're shrinking!! I'm going to keep that in mind today as I struggle to eat on plan. My weigh-in is on Sunday and I'd like that happy feeling too! Thanks for the extra motivation!

I hope you can find a way to perk up this morning. I find a quick 5 minute power-stroll can help me immensely!

Have a great day!

 

[KLH 1973]

Sorry for the late post about your family situation but to be totally honest I have been up in arms over this whole appraisal thing on our house and have not been as good as I should on posting to all my new friends.

In regards to your family situation I totally agree on what everyone has posted thus far. But to give you a little background on me which might help your choice. I am a sahm I got married to Greg when I was 21, we did not do a honeymoon trying to be responcible and bought furniture and had first child at 22 second child at 24. We never in almost 9yrs went on vacation until this past September when we took kids on dis cruise. We always thought it was important to get the house blah blah blah but now we are like darnit lets enjoy life we will only live once. So long story short Greg and I both wish we had done more before the kids came along and really wish we had done more while they were younger.

So my soap box speech is over and I say go on the trips as much as you want , just don't put yourself in bankrupcy to do it.

Kristin

 

[Strings]

CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA!

You are doing a great job. I hope that the sluggish feeling has gone away. Keep drinking your water, and it may go away.

Have a good afternoon,
Beth

 

[septbride2002]

I carbed it up a bit yesterday. DH and I went to what is called our Boardwalk area and watched a movie outside last night. It is this really fun thing they do once a month and last night the movie was "Freaky Friday" it was very fun! But there was a lot of free junk food that was extrememly tempting.

So we are back on the wagon today! I am going to go for a walk this morning while DH is at work. I have to tell ya that lately I have not been hungry. Nothing has sounded good and for the most part I'm just not really hungry for anything. I think that is why the junk food got to me last night it was everywhere and because my dinner was small I fell to temptation.

I found my measuring tape so here we go:

Bust: 41 - no change
Chest: 36.5 (down half an inch)
Waist: 32 - down 3 inches!!
Hips: 41 - the same
thigh: 20 - down one inch
arms: 12 - no change

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning I am feeling very overhwhelmed today so I may be journaling a lot. I woke up this morning and stared at the ceiling for 15 minutes just going through the list of things that I need to do in the next couple of days. I am extremely stressed and some in-law situations that have come up are not making me feel any better.

Food was good and bad at times over the weekend. I can't even try to recap it all though

Today's Menu:
B: 2 eggs, 2 slices of red peppers, slice of cheese - 3.5 carbs
L: Tuna Salad - 3 carbs
D: Chicken Breast and veggies
S: ???
Exercise: walk/run- 3/7
Trying to keep the carbs between 30 and 55 carbs today!

List of things I need to get done:
1. email Brian travel itinerary
2. buy stamps
3. mail off prescription refill
4. Clean out the refridgerator of bad food
5. Print off files for trip
6. Start putting together a packing list for trip
7. Put away laundry
8. Price out the amount to make 40 dollar sandwiches
9. buy supplies and put together dollar sandwiches

I think that is it for now - some of these don't have to get done today though.

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Amanda,
for you today. Just take everything in baby steps and your to do list will shrink for sure.

Journal as much as you need to today, Amanda. Remember that your WISH buddies are here for you.

Take good care of you!

Tracy

 

[DoeWDW]

WOW!! You're a busy girl!!! I hope you can break things down into small steps! Prioritize them and do the best you can. As far as the relatives , good luck! If all else fails, you can just move close to me in PA - you'd have a workout buddy and the relatives couldn't bug you as much via long distance!

Hope today brings you a sense of accomplishment and peace.

 

[septbride2002]

I'm back - so far, so good today! So far I've gotten one thing off my list and I have priortized the rest in easiest to complet to hardest.

1. Check
2. Buy Stamps - I can do this tonight
3. Mail off perscription - can also be done tonight
4. clean out the fridge of bad food - will be done tonight.
5. Put away laundry - can be done tonight but is not a priority
6. Price out 40 Dollar Sandwiches - tomorrow
7. Print off files for trip - Friday will be the best day to do this.
8. Make and buy dollar sandwiches - can't do this till Friday since the shower is on Saturday.

I am feeling better! Not quite so overwhelmed although I am very busy at work. It is amazing how negativity from other people in your life can make you become so frazzled. I realized that my feelings this morning had nothing to do with having a lot to do - but questioning everything because of my DSIL. I just have to remember that DH and I need to do what is best for us and to hell with everyone else! LOL! Well maybe not that bad - but other people's priorties do not have to be my priorties.

~Amanda