Amy's Journal: Comments Welcome!

[pearlieq]

I hope it goes OK. I'll be thinking about you.

 

[lovinaz]

Glad to hear the headache is gone.

Today will be hard, but it's something that has to be done. You will get through it and you are already on the right track by staying out of the kitchen so you won't emotional eat!

I have to admit I don't think I've ever seen you do so well for so many days in a row!! You are really doing great and I think you will still do great while you are on vacation.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to admit I don't think I've ever seen you do so well for so many days in a row!! You are really doing great and I think you will still do great while you are on vacation.

Thanks Amy. I have to admit I am amazing myself these days. Since my stress level is down I am not stress eating anymore for the most part, I think thats what did it. That Paul McKenna show really helps and you turned me onto it so pat yourself on the back!

Pearlie, thanks for the encouragement and the hug, they help and I am ready to get this thing done.

 

[Caitsmama]

Stacy, the cheese nips were one of those individual packs, I buy them for dd's lunch sometimes as a treat and of course I had to eat one myself! The six referred to the points I had with those and the V8 Fusion.

.

Ok, that makes more sense.. LOL

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well got through the appt. at the funeral home just fine. We picked out a very pretty urn that looked liked something my mom would have liked, it had a rose pattern on it. Then it was like, um what do we do with these? Stepdad thought they should come home with me so I brought them here. I really wanted my mom to be buried but kept with her wishes. She picked out four locations to have her ashes scattered. A favorite spot in the mountains where we picniced for years, the cemetery in Texas where my father and her parents and sister are buried, the Oregon coast and a beach in Maine she loved. Could that be anymore complicated? Of course I said I would make it happen and I will. But it could be years to get that all done. The funeral director said this is getting more common and made some suggestions and that was helpful. I have no idea how exactly this will all work out, for us three kids and our respective families to travel all around like that is going to take some serious planning. And of course my brother and sister still don't speak so that complicates issues further. I made the executive decision that stepdad and my family as well as sister and nephew will do the thing in the mountains as soon as summer gets here and they open up that area. He is 83 years old and can't wait around for my siblings to get it together. Brother is fine with that and probably won't attend. His choice and I totally understand. But stepdad needs his closure. The other three locations will have to be figured out later on.

I really need to walk but feel so drained. This is why I should go first thing in the morning. But I am determined to go, I may just walk outside after I eat an early dinner. Dh is taking the kids out for pizza (they do this on Tuesday's, its sort of my night off from figuring out dinner and gives him some time with them) so I am on my own. Can't decide what I want, I have 20 points available but dont' want to eat that much as I am weighing in tomorrow.


Later...

Didn't walk today. I am a bit disappointed with myself but honestly I am so exhausted from not sleeping last night I just didn't have the energy. I came in under on points today. Here is my food:
Breakfast: Oatmeal 5
Lunch: LC w/ veggies: 7
Dinner: rice with some veggies: (4), 1tb peanut butter(2) , 2 egg beaters (2)
Snack: V8 Fusion (2) Fiber One Bar: (2)
Total: 24
Really weird food day, especially that strange dinner. I am hungry, I may have to have a snack, I still have six points left. I plan to walk tomorrow after WW. I only did three walks this week, my goal was four. So didn't make that. Oh well, new week, new start! Today was just a weird day all around and I am glad its behind me and that I didn't fall off the wagon with food. I am going to take that and call it a day!

 

[Goofydiane]

Amy - you did great recognizing ahead of time that today was going to be a stressful day for you and were successful in not caving. Congratulate yourself on getting through the day and staying within points.

Wow, looks like you are going to be planning some trips in the future for your mom. You just need to worry about yourself and your family and extend the invitation out when the trip is scheduled and planned and let them make the decisions. It is your brother and sisters choice to attend or not attend, do what is right for you, your family and your stepdad.

Regardless of what the scale says tomorrow, your jeans are fitting better and that is the real measurement, the scale is just a number. Listen to your body - you are seeing changes in yourself; enjoy those changes and be proud!

 

[toystoryduo]

I think you did a great job yesterday, Amy. No worries about the walk...I'm proud of you for listening to your body!

I agree with Diane....I think it's best if you plan the trips and invite your brother and sister and leave the rest up to them. That way, you'll know for sure what you are doing and not have to worry about what they are doing. You have to do what is best for you and your immediate family. The rest will all fall into place.

I hope your Wednesday is a good one!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy and Diane. When I told my mom would do this I didn't really think about logistics. No way can my sister afford to do the trips to Maine and Pacific Northwest and no way can brother and I get our scheudles coordinated. It will all work out in the end.

I did walk today so that was good. I ended up only getting 50 minutes, ran into a friend and stopped to chat with him. I really paid for not working out for three days, I was stiff and sore. Of course its raining and about 38 degrees so that might account for being stiff. I really had to push myself to go, I had spent the day organizing stuff to take to Good Will and it was a lot of trips up and down the stairs. But I still did it.

Food today:

Breakfast: yogurt: 2
Lunch: Baked potato: 5
Snack: Fiber one bar and milk: 4
V8 Fusion: 2
Some of dd's french fries: 2
Dinner: Burrito Bol: 13, Guac: 3,
Total for the day: 31
Flex points used: 1
I had to trade the cheese for the guac because I didn't want to go over on my points. We are going to a friends house for dinner on Saturday night and I am anticipating that I will need a lot of my flex points for that. No sense breaking the bank on day one!

I didn't weigh in today. Just as I was about to leave I got a call from a friend of mine and she needed to vent so I listened and thus missed my meeting. Oh well, came up and weighed and guestimate I am down a pound or two. My scale is cheap and not too reliable. I'll go next week, no biggie. I sitll feel very motivated and didnt' necessarily have to make the meeting today so I am okay with missing.

Got one fruit and four veggies in. So I got my five total. I also drank 100 o of water and got my two milk servings. So a pretty good day in all.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Just realized I am almost 1/3 of the way there with the exercise challenge. Not bad considering I took three days off!

I leave for WDW in one week! It feels so nice to be excited for something.

 

[Goofydiane]

Amy - Another great day, you've got a great string going right now, I'm proud of you!

Just think of how much exercise you are going to get in WDW, with all that walking you will definately make the exercise challenge. If you have a pedometer, wear it one day you will be amazed at how much walking you do.
Here's my tip for getting in a power walk at Epcot - if you are waiting for a show and don't have enough time to do something different, leave your family holding the spot and do a power walk around World Showcase. It's a nice 10 minute walk that gets the heart rate up and the blood pumping.

You do a great job with the food planning, I envy you. I forget to think ahead to what is coming up over the next few days and then have to figure it out then.

I'm with you on the weather - they are forecasting snow, yes snow! here on Friday.

have a great rest of the week!

 

[lovinaz]

You are doing AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

And lucky you, getting to leave for WDW in a week. Do you have a plan to stay on track while you are there? I think the Paul McKenna mindset will be very useful to you on vacation, since you will obviously be enjoying some "naughty" foods...

You are doing great on your workouts, a month ago you were struggling to work out once a week. Keep it up!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Diane and Amy!

Diane: Thats a good idea, I love walking in the World Showcase. I am also thinking of taking a really good 30 minute powerwalk at the resort first thing. I do a lot of walking at WDW thats for sure, but so much of it is stop and go or slow walking I am not sure how much of that I can really count towards exercise vs. activity.

Amy: I am going to use some of Paul's tactics for WDW. Namely getting me past the Main Street Bakery and McDonald's fry carts! Its the smell that reels me in each and every time!

Today was good. I woke up to a bunch of snow, ice and 28 degrees. Happy Spring to me! I got into the rec center earlier than I have been. Going later in the day has backfired several times now. I got a really good walk in and am now at 36% for my monthly exercise goal. So that is a very good thing.

Here is my food:

Breakfast: Oatmeal w/ skim and walnuts: 5
Lunch: Lean Cuisine: 6
Snack: Fiber One Bar and milk: 3
Snack #2: Hot chocolate and one half tablespoon peanut butter: 5
Dinner: Chicken Tetrazzini and 8 oz. of V8 Fusion: 9
Total for the day:28
That puts me in at 2 points under. So I may have something else later but only if I am hungry.
Veggies for the day: 4, Fruit 1 Got my five total. Also got my two milk servings in.
Water: 80 oz. and one Diet Pepsi.

Thanks for reading, I'll catch up with everyone later this evening.

 

[Goofydiane]

Hi Amy -

I've got a lot of tips for losing weight at WDW, I'm not sure why but I always come home about 5 lbs lighter than when I left.

If you are staying somewhere with a fitness center, take advantage of it.
Always walk to the furthest bus stop at the resort.
I always choose a meal or two where I am not going to care what I eat and just enjoy it - for me it is LeCellier and Boma. The rest of the time make conscious decisons knowing that you have a favorite or two tucked away and to look forward to.
I was on the dining plan and used 1 credit for a treat at Goofy's Candy Company and the rest were used to bring treats back for others.
I don't bring cash to the parks so I don't get swayed by the carts.
I brought Oatmeal packets for breakfast and got a bowl and water at the food court and heated it up. I also brought single serving peanut butter's for a snack with some fruit late in the afternoon.
Water, Water, Water and of course knowing where every restroom is in the parks.

I wish I was going with you! You are going to have a great time!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Amy,

You have gotten your routine down. I am so proud of you. Great job with your exercise and food. I think you will surprise yourself at WDW. You will be walking, and it isn't like there aren't healthy options available there. Endulge on one or two meals. Being away from the stress of everyday life may actually allow you to focus more on a healthier you. You won't lose your momentum.

Have a fantastic weekend.
Beth

 

[pearlieq]

Hi!

28 and snowing?!? What's up with that? Don't they know it's April already? That's nuts!

You're doing amazing with you're exercise and you're well on track to meet or exceed your goal for the month! Awesome for you! It isn't always easy, but you do it anyways. I'm so proud of you.

I'm very glad the appointment to pick out the urn went well. That is quite a logistical challenge you've got there, but it sounds like you're working it out well. Those sound like lovely locations, and nice places to take the family.

Good for you for thinking about your upcoming WDW trip. I know you'll do very well. I'm usually in the camp of "Hey, I'm on vacation". I don't usually gain a lot of weight, and when I do it's gone in the first week when I get home, but it does make it hard to get back on track. So you're probably right to shoot for the middle.

You must be positively giddy with excitement now. It's so close!

 

[lovinaz]

Snack #2: Hot chocolate and one half tablespoon peanut butter: 5

How on earth do you just have 0.5 tablespoon of peanut butter? Please tell me your secret! I either have 400 calories worth or nothing at all. There is no moderation...

One trick that always helps me when I travel to places where I am surrounded by different and interesting food options - I only eat at a time that I'd normally eat at home. So, if you are walking down Main Street and it's only 2 hours since you had breakfast, ask yourself if you'd be eating a snack 2 hours after breakfast at home? And if the answer is "no", keep on walking... Remember, you are there for the entertainment, NOT the food! You'll do great!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Amy
you are well and truly on track with food & exercise
I'm so proud of you, especially after all you've been through!
I cant believe your trip is only a week away - i dont want to throw you off the wagon but if you can have a mai tai for me

 

[Caitsmama]

Amy,
you are doing great! You must be getting so excited!!

 

[toystoryduo]

You are doing a wonderful job, Amy! Keep up the good work!

Your trip to WDW is soooo close! What will you guys be doing while you are there? (My trip's not until September so I need to live vicariously through yours. )

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you so much everyone. This will be very quick as I am scrambling to get ready for church. I walked today for an hour, so I am at 420 minutes total for this month. Today is the three month anniversary of my mom's death, can I just say I am glad its not three months ago? I have been fine today, yesterday was not so good. I was so depressed, it was snowing again and I just sort of laid low and got thorugh it. Dh suggested I come have lunch with him which was very sweet. Went to a Mexican place as the deli was so packed we couldn't get a parking spot. I had a chicken dish I thought would be healhty, wrong it was swimming in grease. I ate about half then pushed it away. Basically skipped dinner. Slammed the water to flush the grease out of my system. Today started with breakfast out with my stepdad. He needed a ride to the airport. Pulled up and he is kissing some lady goodbye, I almost got out of the car and slapped him. Not lunch date girlfriend, some other widow in the buidling. Must be nice to be Mr. Popular. I felt really sad but I think it was just a friendly hug goodbye from a friend. Still it was weird and the kids were really upset. Survived the diner where we had breakfast, had a plain omlette, ate one bite of hashbrowns and one half of one half an English Muffin that was dry. Did have about four bites of dd's pancakes. Skipped lunch and then had a light yogurt for 2 points when I came home from the gym. Tonight after church we are going to a friend's house for dinner. Due to church we arrive late so we will miss the cheese fondue she is making for an appetizer. I am bringing chocolate fondue fixings and hope to have only a couple of chocolate dipped strawberries. We'll see. My will power is good right now, tonight will be a good test of how good it really is,

Thanks so much for supporting and stickign with me. I couldn't have gotten through the last three months without my WISH friends.