Amy's Journal: Comments Welcome!

[Amy&Dan]

Well today was pretty good (until tonight). I exercised 45 minutes so I am over 600 now. Less than 200 minutes to go but only four days so I need to exercise every day. I'll swear, my exercise challenge remind me of college. Waiting until the last minute to squeeze all the research papers in and cutting it way too close!

I found out today my stepdad has to have some rather major surgery next week. Its scheduled for the day my mil arrives for our kids' confirmation that weekend and he likely won't be able to drive for awhile. I am also thinking he wont' be well enough to travel to Chicago while we take our cruise so I have no idea what to do with my parents that week in September if he can't. I have alot of things to figure out and I am worried sick about him as well. Luckily, my Alz. support group was tonight so I had some very knowledgeable and sympathetic shoulders to cry on. If nothing else I can put them into asst'd living on a short term basis while I am gone. I just don't want to cancel and they don't want me to. Dh's family is going too, no way would they have booked a Disney cruise unless we had invited and suggested. Plus I won't get all my money back etc. But it will all work out one way or the other. I just need to get some sleep and think about this tomorrow!

Food today:
Breakfast: Kashi w/ skim milk (4)
Lunch: pasta with veggies (4), 4 oz. of chicken sausage (4)
Snack: ww ice cream bar (2)
Dinner: Lean Cuisine (6)
Snack (here's where it all starts to go downhill since I was stressed about my stepdad): about 2tb, chopped cashews, 10 almonds and 2 tbs peanuts. Why oh why do my Alz. Support buddies always provide nuts. I don't have the heart to tell our facilitator her snacks suck! And nothing like the stress of unloading your most personal sadnesses and listening to others to make you want to munch nuts. Oh well, at least I got my protein in. Have no idea what my points are, will figure those out tomorrow.
Second Dinner: Okay, since I ate way too early (3:30, wanted to eat before group to avoid nuts, ha ha,) I was hungry when I got home at 9:00. So, I had two turkey tacos with 1 tb shredded cheese. Probably about 8 points total just for the tacos. So I plowed thru some flex points I badly needed to save for the weekend.
Drank 100 oz. of water, 2 diet cokes. Need to cut back on the dc's. Also only got in one serving of veggies and no fruit. Tomorrow is another day thank heavens. Good night and thanks for reading.

 

[CACruisin']

At least the nuts are "good" fat, better than chips anyway. Don't cancel your cruise. You'll figure out something for your parents. I'm glad your support group was there for you last night with some good suggestions.

WTG on your exercise! I'm like that too with the last minute. Thank goodness for the challenges. At least it gets me out there!

 

[lovinaz]

You are so close to your exercise goal, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

I am right there with ya on the nuts. There is a guy in my group who has a huge tub-o-cashews from Costco. He will dump a little into the top and calmly munch on that small amount all day. There is no way I could do that! I am so envious of people who actually have control over their own behavior... I suggest taking a WW friendly snack with you next time. That way you can feel less guilty!

Things will work out with your parents. You need to go on that cruise! You will be so much more relaxed when you come back.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy, I am hoping I can make my exercise goal this month. Its gonna be close but I think I can do it. Frankly, if I had a tub of cashews on my desk I'd eat them until I finished them or I dropped dead of nut overdose!

Friday:
Breakfast: WW Ice cream bar
Lunch: Lean cuisine, tangerine
Dinner: potato chips, 3 pieces of pizza, one small piece French silk pie.
Exercise: 45 minutes on the treadmill

Ate too much for dinner at my mom's (as usual). But I did drink over 100 oz. of water and one diet coke and did get some exercise in. So the day was not a total loss.

Saturday:
Breakfast: fat free pudding
Lunch: Went to Souper Salad and had 3 cups romaine lettuce, some fresh green peas, garbanzo beans, cheese, mushrooms, 1000 island dressing and about two tablespoons of pasta/tuna salad. I had roughly one cup of red grapes. Also had a taco (very little meat on it, and about one tb. cheese sauce), about 10 chips with cheese sauce, jalepenos and a tiny bit of taco meat. Dessert was small piece of blueberry bread and about 1/2 cup of soft serve vanilla ice cream. Not the greatest but I put very little dressing or cheese on my salad so that was good. And I resisted pizza, a loaded baked potato, creamy soups and a bunch of other junk I didn't need so I didn't eat it. Had iced tea to drink.
Water today was roughly 80 oz.
Dinner: 1.5 oz. of natural chicken sausage, half a Coors Light. (I am editing this on Sunday morning, I hadn't eaten yet when I posted and ended up eating less than I thought I would)
Exercise: 30 minute walk

I am 105 minutes from exercise goal, I think I can easily do that in two days. I did so so today. But it was Saturday and much better than the last few Saturday's so that was something.

I shopped for clothes today, something I HATE to do but it was somewhat better experience than usual. I actually bought six new outfits for the cruise, some blouses and discovered a nice dress I had, that I had outgrown, fits. I haven't had that on in three years and I as I recall it was so tight the day I wore it at a wedding I thought I would split the seams. It fits quite nicely now thank you very much! So that felt good. I really, really, really, want to lose 10 pounds in the next five weeks. That would put me at about 35 total since January. I could live with 35 pounds in 9 months. I see these people on tv who lose like 60 pounds in six months and realize no way could I do that but it would sure be nice! Hope everyone is having a great weekend, I'll catch up on journals tomorrow.

 

[BCV MOMX2]

Great name huh? hee hee I was reading your weekend posts and I too have done the same things. It's only noon here and I'm already at 17 pts! It's going to be lots of veggies for dinner. I really felt like giving up today and just hoggin' down on Pizza Hut or something. Then I thought, go downstairs and read the WISH journals - and the strangest thing - I instantly forgot about eating and realized I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm a huge stress eater so I can relate. I really do draw a lot of inspiration from you guys. Let's all keep up the good work! I like reading your menus because I'm not very creative so it gives me ideas....but I have to ask...what is chicken sausage? I've never heard of it!
Amy

 

[Amy&Dan]

Great name huh? hee hee I was reading your weekend posts and I too have done the same things. It's only noon here and I'm already at 17 pts! It's going to be lots of veggies for dinner. I really felt like giving up today and just hoggin' down on Pizza Hut or something. Then I thought, go downstairs and read the WISH journals - and the strangest thing - I instantly forgot about eating and realized I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm a huge stress eater so I can relate. I really do draw a lot of inspiration from you guys. Let's all keep up the good work! I like reading your menus because I'm not very creative so it gives me ideas....but I have to ask...what is chicken sausage? I've never heard of it!
Amy

Oh that's too funny, "Amy" seems to be a very popular name on the WISH board! I am getting ready to spend most if not all my points today on Sonic, I want it and I'm going to have it. I didnt eat breakfast (slept in) and dinner is vegetable soup. My leader swears by this, get what you want and be done with it, sort of thing. We'll see. Chicken sausage is something I get at my Super Target. Its made by Archer Farms, has no preservatives, no nitrates is made from white meat chicken and its delicious. The Italian is my favorite. Its about 70 calories a link and roughly 2 pts. per link. I cannot find it at Wal Mart or my local Safeway but can always get it at Super Target. Good luck finding it, its tasty! And if you are looking for creativity look at Amy M's menus, she's way better at that than me. I am a creature of habit and eat way too many lean cuisines because I hate to cook!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

How are you doing? You are doing great with the exercise challenge! Were you able to get all of your minutes in?

That's great about the dress for your cruise. When do you leave? Is is a Disney cruise?

Hoep you have a great day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy! Yes, its a Disney Cruise, our first cruise ever and I am really excited. I think I need to take back two of my dresses. When I got them home I realized they are actually too big. For so long I buy clothes and if they fit, in that they aren't too tight or falling off thats good enough. But when I got them on in front of my mirror I realized they are too baggy and so I am going to see if they have them in smaller sizes. I am trying to just be more aware of what I am awaring regardless of what I weigh and go for more than the comfy factor! I did make my exercise goal for July and set a new one for August with 100 add'l minutes to bump up my exercise level.

This weekend was stressful. Having my stepdad sick and in need of surgery has caused me to feel stress. My mother has been an absolute pill, getting mad that I have out of town company (Dan's aunt) coming for the kids' thing at church this Sunday. I think she is jealous that Dan's aunt (I call her my mil because that is what she is to him, the only mother figure in his life) who I love very much. She has to have me all to herself, she's always been that way and her Alz. makes that worse. Too bad, no way am I cancelling this very important event in Matthew and Maria's life. And she can be jealous all she wants. I can love more than one person and frankly Dan's aunt is the sanest person I know, having her here to be with us is the highlight of our summer. So the temper tantrums and pouting aren't working. I am also caught in the middle of my mom and sister's battles that always come to a head during stressful times like this. I see both sides and am just trying to listen to them both but stay out of it. The good news however, is that I didn't eat my way through the weekend. I had a few slipups but really held my own, exercised, drank my water and didn't go off the deep end. This stress isn't going away so no sense doing a short term, immediate gratification activity like bingeing for something that is here to stay. Now if I can just hold that thought!

Sunday: I had my Sonic and it was good! I figured the points, 21 for the whole meal. Then I was going to make a big pot of veggie soup but didn't get to the store so I had some wheathins with salsa for dinner and a tangerine. Then I had a few chips and a half of a Coors Light last night with Dan for a little splurge. I was over on points but still had flex points left, even after Friday's slip up. But I am out of flex points now so I have to be good today and tomorrow! Exercised 60 minutes yesterday and got 45 minutes on the treadmill today which brought me to my 800 minute goal exactly. Cut it close but still made it! Thanks for reading!

 

[lovinaz]

And if you are looking for creativity look at Amy M's menus, she's way better at that than me.

Aww, thanks! I always think my meals are boring!

YAY for the smaller dress size and the tight dress now fitting!!!!! If that doesn't motivate you to stay on track, I don't know what will!

And another YAY for making your exercise challenge!!!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a stressful time, but it is great to see that you are not eating to cope. You used your flex points, but that is what they are for! And you have really been exercising a lot too. I bet you can make your goal of 10lbs in 5 weeks (or at least get really close!).

 

[Amy&Dan]

Aww, thanks! I always think my meals are boring!

YAY for the smaller dress size and the tight dress now fitting!!!!! If that doesn't motivate you to stay on track, I don't know what will!

And another YAY for making your exercise challenge!!!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a stressful time, but it is great to see that you are not eating to cope. You used your flex points, but that is what they are for! And you have really been exercising a lot too. I bet you can make your goal of 10lbs in 5 weeks (or at least get really close!).

Hey you taught me to make chocolate oatmeal so I have to give you credit! Thanks for the good thoughts. But lets face it, with Alz., blindness, cancer, diabetes and everything else my parents have, when isn't my life stressful where they are concerned? I only rant to my WISH buddies because here in my real world everybody is likely sick of my woes and you guys can just not read which is easier to ignore than if I was talking face to face! I am just hopeful that I am at long last learning a new trick, which is how to deal with that stress without eating! Woohoo, it only took me 41 years !

 

[Amy&Dan]

Monday, July 31:

Today was pretty good with food. I exercised my 45 minutes and made goal so that felt good too. Here is my food:

Breakfast: Kashi with skim milk (4)
Snack: tangerine (1)
Lunch: Lean Cuisine (4)
Snack: Fat free pudding (1)
Dinner: CiCi's Pizza: one slice pepperoni/jalapeno (3), one slice ole (2.5), one slice bbq pizza (4), 2 cups salad greens, 1/2 cup mushrooms, 1tb. green peas, 2 teaspoons 1000 island dressing, 4 croutons (4 points for the whole salad) plus one bite of my son's pasta, one bite of his cinnamon roll and one bite of my daughter's breadstick. I am counting two points for those "bites".
Total for the day: 25.5 (came in one half point under.)
Water: 80 oz. and one diet coke

I am glad I went to CiCi's. I logged onto a website that has over 400 restaurants and their point values so I was able to count what I ate. I sort of figured their pizza wasn't too bad because it isn't thick crust with a ton of cheese on it. I saved up points for the day and did fine. It feels good to survive a pizza buffet, be able to eat their with my family and get what I want. Occasionally, I have hope I might be able to keep this up for the rest of my life! Thanks for reading.

 

[lovinaz]

You did GREAT at the pizza place! You were able to enjoy a meal out without getting going over your allowed points. You should be so proud of yourself, that is tough to do!

I noticed you bumped up your exercise minutes for August, way to go! It seems like you've been working out more consistently lately. I bet it helps with some stress-relief too.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy~

Congratulations on making your July exercise goal! Keep up the good work! I bet you will be able to make your goal of 10 pounds in 5 weeks! You CAN do it, Amy!

That is so exciting that you are going on a Disney cruise! I hope when you get back you will tell us all about it. My DH and I talked about going on a cruise when our girls are a little bit older.

I hope you have a wonderful day today! Thanks so much for your support.

 

[BCV MOMX2]

Congrats on your exercise goal....and the whole eating out with pizza and staying within your pts....fantastic! When you say you are eating Kashi cereal....which kind? If I knew how to put your quote at the top of this I would...but back to the chicken sauage....I'll have to check Target next time I'm there. I have to share with you what I consider a "find". A co-worker of mine told me about this. A chicken soft taco (fresco style) is only 3 pts. I had two of them for dinner with a giant Diet Pepsi....6 pts! I think they are only 4 a piece with cheese, but hey, every pt counts! Well - you keep up the good work. You can do (and you are doing it)!

 

[BCV MOMX2]

oops - forgot to mention the chicken soft tacos were from Taco Bell...

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you Amy, Tracy and Amy. BeachClub Amy: We must be on the same wavelength, I had chicken tacos tonight (but from Del Taco)! Amy M., I did bump up the exercise, I wanted to challenge myself a bit more. I took today off, my back is still killing me but I am hoping to get some time on the treadmill tomorrow. And Tracy, I will definitely fill you in on the cruise. We have been waiting for this for years. My kids will be just short of 10 (dd turns 10 the day after we get home) and 12. So I think that will be a good age. I am taking them out of school and feeling wildly guilty but oh well. My husband's aunt and cousin are going with us, we love spending time with them so its a double dip of fun! How are you doing (gotta catch up on journals, been thinking about you).

Whew, today was busy. I spent the day cleaning like a professional. I got the basement bedroom all shaped up for Dan's aunt's visit. She gets in Thursday, the same day my stepdad has his surgery. I also did Sams, Wal Mart and a bunch of other stuff. Food was okay, didn't get in any veggies or fruit. But I was within points so that was something. NOrmally the onset of out of town company just makes me overeat so I am happy with myself thus far.

Breakfast: Kashi with skim, (4)
Snack: ff, sf, pudding (1)
Lunch: 2 chicken sausages (3)
Snack: two cookies (2)
Dinner: Del Taco, 2 chicken tacos del carbon at 3.5 each and one regular taco at 4, (11)
Some of my daughter shake (3) thats a guestimate
Total for the day: 24 two points under for a change of pace.

We ate out again, I was just too busy to cook but I made a halfway decent choice at Del Taco. On the way there we passed this place we used to eat at. Nothing but junk food, burgers, ribs, nachos that sort of thing. I almost told Dan to pull in but kept my willpower up. If I had walked in that place I would have snarfed some nachos and probablay two beers in nothing flat. So Del Taco was actually a good choice!

Drank 80 oz. water and one iced tea with lemon
Exercise: None

Thanks for reading

P.S. Amy, I eat different varietys of Kashi, the protein type, Go Lean Crunch and these cinnamon squares. All are very tasty and loaded with fiber. Although the high protein variety tastes somewhat like baby formula smells . Very proteiney!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Hi Amy,

Looks like you're doing well with the food choices. You're looking forward to a cruise too?! Sounds fun. Enjoy!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday, you got some exercise in (cleaning is exercise!) and you did a great job with your food choices. Keep up the good work, Amy!

Thanks for your encouragement and support in my journal. How are things going for you and Dan?

Have a great day!

 

[lovinaz]

Great job at Del Taco! I think you are really getting the hang of pre-planning and staying within your points while eating out. That's a huge accomplishment!

I am so jealous you are going on the cruise! Our kids were 9 and 6 when we went and they loved it. It is the perfect age. We are going on Norwegian Cruise Line for our November cruise (adults only) but I know I will be comparing to Disney the whole time!

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow, Amy! You've been BUSY!!!

You might check w/ one of the National Alzheimers foundations/groups for help & recommendations for your mom. We visited tons of facilities for my FIL w/ Parkinsons & then again w/ my mom & alzheimers, & they really varied & price wasn't always a difference. You just need to find what you are comfortable with.

Hope you have a great rest of the week! When is your cruise?? I'm SO envious!!