Amy's Journal: Comments Welcome!

[pearlieq]

I'm so sorry you don't feel well. I really hope it passes soon.

I can imagine how bittersweet it was to go through all those cards and letters. What a wonderful gift, painful as it is to go through now. I just think it's awesome you have another piece of your mom to carry with you.

I hope you have a nice night tonight. Take care of yourself.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you Pearlieq!

I woke up yesterday with a migraine which is thankfully gone. Another day of not exercising. And I didn't eat very well either. Clearly I am having some issues with getting back on track. Today I feel good, I set the alarm early so I could WISH and walk on my treadmill before church. If I put off walking until this afternoon I am afraid it won't happen. I also have some serious yard work to do later today. And I will maybe count that towards some activity minutes but I want to get in at least 40 minutes on the treadmill this morning.

I overheard a somewhat sad conversation the other day between my kids. When we were at WDW and I heard them discussing the trip when we got to do the Dining Plan. They were talking about how fun it was to try all those different places and how too bad Daddy said we can't do that again since Mom can't do that with her "diet". It really made me think. About the sacrifices my family makes for my food issues. About the message I am sending to them about food. That food is forbidden, that I am always on a diet. All the time, we have to work our way around what I eat. If I am on track, we have to all be on track. If I am not, then they watch me overeat on all the wrong kinds of food and then have to listen to me gripe about what a pig I am and how guilty and weak I feel. So I talked it over with dh and we called member services and added the DDP. They are all thrilled and I am determined to not stress over this and just eat like a normal person on vacation. In the end, I still think its an obnoxious amount to pay to eat for two weeks but since dh is the one working his butt off to pay for these trips, maybe its not just solely up to me.

In the end the DDP is like everything else. I can make good choices and surivive just fine or I can fall apart and eat myself into oblivion. Last week's trip proved I can go either way. That Paul McKenna show has really stuck with me. If I listen to him, I will never have to not eat at certain places or not enjoy a meal out again. I just have to eat when I am hungry, stop when I am full and move more. So easy if I will just let it be that way. I really felt bad when I heard my kids talking because they must conclude: we sacrifice for her and she doesn't do well anyway. Dh enjoys his steaks and seafood, why shouldn't he have them on vacation? If I worked as hard as he did, I'd want to have a bit more say so in our vacation plans. Maybe its time for me to let go of always controlling what and where we eat. This constant obsession over food isn't working too well after all. And we won't be back to WDW until probably next July or October of 2009 so we might as well enjoy our trip. 15 days out of a lifetime really isn't all that big of a deal.

Here are the ADR's: These are all for dinner
O'Hana
Sci Fi
Prime Time
Boma
1900 Park Fare
Liberty Tree Tavern
Artist's Point
Yachtsmen Steakhouse (I think dh' had to wipe away drool when I told him about this one )
Olivia's
Turf Club
San Angel Inn
Tony's
Wolfgang Puck's

So that is my gameplan. I really don't intend to worry or stress about this one minute more from here on out. I have the ability to be very sensible about food when I want to. I came home from a cruise only a few pounds up. I came home from a DDP trip only a few pounds up. I think I can do this. Enough said!


10:30 p.m.: Did get a walk in, actually did 50 minutes. I didn't end up working in the yard too much, my allergies were so awful I coudln't stand to be outside. I also just felt wiped out. Ate out at lunch after church and split an entree with dd as well as a piece of pie. I had a side salad with dressing on the side. Dinner was pretty much nothing, I wasn't hungry and now its too late. And I'm still not hungry. It felt good to walk on the treadmill and I feel like I can make the April challenge. I was hoping to make it with a bit more breathing room but in the end as long as I get to that 1000 minutes of exercise, I am happy. I feel in control and ready to face the new week!

 

[Caitsmama]

Amy, i think that was a good decision on your part, adding the DD plan -- there is no reason you can't be on the plan and not overeat -- you are strong and you'll do fine. and remember, just b/c you "slip"at one meal or snack,doens't doom the rest of the trip!
Believe me, when we go this week -- i will be at the POLY for my Tonga Toast!! And i don't care!!!! LOL

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you Stacy, I just plan to do the best I can and take each day one meal at a time!

Today was a very good day. I walked for 70 minutes at the rec center and my food was good.

Food today:
Breakfast: Fiber One bar and yogurt: 4
Snack: Cheese It's: 4 I was running errands after the gym and was starving. Dd had left a pack of these in the car so I had them figuring it was better than a drive thru or fainting from hunger!
Lunch: Lean Cuisine: 4 (had the variety with two servings of veggies. These are the only kind I eat now and they are really good)
Snack: PB&J : 6
Dinner: Grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomato (7) and V8 Fusion (2)
I had four servings of veggies and one fruit today. Got my five in.

Total points: 27

I actually have three points left, I may have a glass of milk later to get some more dairy in. In fact I know I will, I had an early dinner and I am still a tad bit hungry.

Good start to the week, here's hoping I can maintain that discipline!

Ds wanted a pin in WDW, he has a lanyard so I thought, well there ya go. The kid rarely wants to buy anthing anymore on a Disney trip. Come to find out, he bought it for a girl! He informed me today he gave it to this girl in his science class, she goes to our church and apparently he is smitten. He said she was very happy. I was amazed he had the guts to do that. School is still going really well for him. Unfortunately, his one friend he made right off the bat apparently gets bullied. Poor kid. Ds said one boy in particular is awful to this kid and come to find out this mean kid goes to our church. I guess Ds asked him if he ever bothers to pay attention during church and asked this boy to leave his friend alone. I really hope this doesn't spill over onto him. But I am proud that he stuck up for his friend. He says if he gets bullied again he can handle it better and that its better to be bullied by a kid than your teacher. I am really proud of how far he has come. He has also made a couple of other friends and he says they all sort of take up for the one boy. I am as usual saddend at how mean kids can be, soem things never change. His grades are good, he is happy and my stress level is down about a 500%. I am just keeping my fingers crossed it lasts! I really think it will, if nothing else the last two experiences really did offer some learning.

 

[pearlieq]

Awwwww...your DS has a little crush! How cute it that!?! Thanks for the update about how he's doing in school--I kept meaning to ask about that.

I'm glad you added the DDP back into your plans. You're right. It will be all right. And it's great that you will be able to enjoy these fun places as a family.

I wish I had time to write more, but I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Take are and I'll talk to you soon!

Great job getting that exercise these past couple of days!

 

[toystoryduo]

That was so sweet of your DS to buy his friend a pin! I'm so happy to hear that he is doing so well at his new school!

You did a great job yesterday! Keep up the good work!

How long before your next trip? I think adding the DDP was a good decision!

Hope you have a great day!

 

[postesf]

Hi Amy. I think you were wise to assess your situation w/ your family/diet/DDP... Kids notice everything. You can still be on the dining plan and make healthy choices. I love the resturants you chose. O'hana is one of my favorite! Are you doing Boma for Dinner or Breakfast? I hear the breakfast there is fantastic. I've read a few reviews and see pics...YUM! We are going to try them for breakfast on our upcoming Minnie Trip. I can't wait. Breakfast is one of my favorite meals! And how cool that you can choose a milk shake at Sci-Fi for your drink! I know you guys will have a grea time!

How cute about your DS. A pin for a girl. It's really great he stood for his friend. That really says a lot about his character! You should be really proud!

Stacie

 

[traceycooper]

I overheard a somewhat sad conversation the other day between my kids. When we were at WDW and I heard them discussing the trip when we got to do the Dining Plan. They were talking about how fun it was to try all those different places and how too bad Daddy said we can't do that again since Mom can't do that with her "diet". It really made me think. About the sacrifices my family makes for my food issues. About the message I am sending to them about food. That food is forbidden, that I am always on a diet. All the time, we have to work our way around what I eat. If I am on track, we have to all be on track. If I am not, then they watch me overeat on all the wrong kinds of food and then have to listen to me gripe about what a pig I am and how guilty and weak I feel. So I talked it over with dh and we called member services and added the DDP. They are all thrilled and I am determined to not stress over this and just eat like a normal person on vacation. In the end, I still think its an obnoxious amount to pay to eat for two weeks but since dh is the one working his butt off to pay for these trips, maybe its not just solely up to me.

In the end the DDP is like everything else. I can make good choices and surivive just fine or I can fall apart and eat myself into oblivion. Last week's trip proved I can go either way. That Paul McKenna show has really stuck with me. If I listen to him, I will never have to not eat at certain places or not enjoy a meal out again. I just have to eat when I am hungry, stop when I am full and move more. So easy if I will just let it be that way. I really felt bad when I heard my kids talking because they must conclude: we sacrifice for her and she doesn't do well anyway. Dh enjoys his steaks and seafood, why shouldn't he have them on vacation? If I worked as hard as he did, I'd want to have a bit more say so in our vacation plans. Maybe its time for me to let go of always controlling what and where we eat. This constant obsession over food isn't working too well after all. And we won't be back to WDW until probably next July or October of 2009 so we might as well enjoy our trip. 15 days out of a lifetime really isn't all that big of a deal.


So that is my gameplan. I really don't intend to worry or stress about this one minute more from here on out. I have the ability to be very sensible about food when I want to. I came home from a cruise only a few pounds up. I came home from a DDP trip only a few pounds up. I think I can do this

here here & well said!
i know you can do this Amy

I watched the Paul McKenna thing too, didnt have the same effect on me though - the bit that stuck with me was: eat what you want but always leave something on your plate...i ate what i wanted - loads & left ketchup on my plate & thought that was ok!!!!!

Glad DS is doing well at school

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks everyone, esp. Pearlie who checked up on me from Orlando!

I am proud of ds. We talked a bit today at lunch and he said that even though he knows sticking up for his friend could mean trouble for him with these kids, he would rather do that than have to live with knowing he didn't stick up for somebody else. And this little boy was so good to ds when he first came to that school, showing him around, making sure he didn't eat alone, so its really just paying it forward. I just keep thinking that a lot of the things that have made childhood tough for ds will suit him well into adulthood.

I havent' worked out thus far, ds had an ortho appt. so I plan to work out very shortly. I did take ds out to lunch after his ortho thing, there is a Burger King right between ortho and school so we just sat in the car with the windows rolled down and chatted while we ate. I got a cheeseburger and a Dr. Pepper. I was just dying for a D.P. so I got a small one. I did not get fries which is a minor miracle! I planned ahead for this, I always take ds out to lunch following the orthodontist. Normally he picks Subway, today he surprised me and picked BK. So I just ate the same amount of points I had planned for Subway but didn't get as much nutrition in. I have to say though, it was tasty. And I didnt' do a meal and I got just a small cheeseburger. It could have been really bad so I guess I need to be happy with suriving a fast food lunch.

Here is the food for today (I am going to go ahead and post dinner):

Breakfast: Shredded Wheat (5)
Snack: V8Fusion (2)
Lunch: Chesseburger: (8) Dr. Pepper (3)
Snack: yogurt: (2)
Dinner: Lean Cuisine (6), Smoothie: (3)
Total: 29
Veggies: 3, Fruit: 2
Five of those total, right on target.

I will update my exercise total and get to journals later.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Amy&Dan]

here here & well said!
i know you can do this Amy

I watched the Paul McKenna thing too, didnt have the same effect on me though - the bit that stuck with me was: eat what you want but always leave something on your plate...i ate what i wanted - loads & left ketchup on my plate & thought that was ok!!!!!

Glad DS is doing well at school

Ketchup is SOMETHING left on the plate, Tracey! You kill me...

The last Paul show I frankly turned off, it just didn't do much for me (the one where he had people talk in stupid voices to themselves). I may try to catch that one on a repeat and see if I am more open. The thing that stuck with me the most was that you eat what you want when you are hungry. Every thin person I know eats that way. And moves more. I have a friend who is super thin and a rock climber/skiier. I am amazed at how she doesn't stress about her food, and how she will splurge when she wants to. I look at her and think that's who Paul McKenna is talking about when he talks about naturally thin people.

I am determined not to let the DDP stress me out. I am also sort of relieved, there is no way I can live on cs for two weeks. They have just taken away too many of the good things I used to enjoy. I may end up doing better. If we had a one bedroom with a kitchen I could have some things like salads etc to eat at OKW. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough points, so we are in a studio. Very hard to prepare much more than snacks and simple breakfasts in that setup.

And dh will eat his fill of steak and salmon!

 

[lovinaz]

Welcome back! Sounds like you are back on track already, way to go!

I'm so glad to hear how well DS is doing in school. He has learned some very important life lessons at an early age, and you have raised him to be an empathetic, caring young man. Who sounds like he is soon to have a girlfriend!

I think you will do fine with the DDP. Just remember to listen to your body. Don't eat if you're not hungry. Remember how you felt when you overdid it last time. It wasn't worth it, right?? You will survive and you will not deprive yourself of any goodies, just enjoy them in moderation.

 

[pearlieq]

If you get a chance, there's a book you might enjoy checking out. It's called The 7 Secrets of Slim People. I admit, it's a really stupid title and makes it sound like another dumb grapefruit diet-type book, but it's a worthwhile read.

It's mostly about what they call intuitive eating--listening to your body and eating when hungry and stopping when full.

I am NOT the type to buy diet/weight loss book and I'm not even sure I'm on board for the whole weight-loss thing, but something about it just really resonated with me and I had to have a copy. I still read it for inspiration--it's a very sane book and it promotes a healthy, normal relationship with food.

Here's a link to it on Amazon just for reference, but you should definitely see if your library has a copy. http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Secrets-Slim-People/dp/0061013382/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

 

[Amy&Dan]

Pearlieq: I just bought the book, I trust your judgement! I also got the latest boxed set of Dallas, what the heck.

I looked at the description and it sounds very grounded. I think I'll start reading it while I am in WDW and hopefully that will motivate me to not go overboard too much!

 

[goldcupmom]

Just caught up, Amy! Sounds like WDW was great, as usual! Did I miss something in my reading? When are you going again? Soon??????

I'm having food issues and I'm not even on vacation, so don't sweat it....(or sweat it out!! )

Glad the DS situation is better. I totally understand what a relief it is!!

Hope you're having a good week & please do NOT send the snow our way, or the pollen that's really bad. (but we'll take any rain you can spare!)

 

[Goofydiane]

The book sounds like a good one. Where did you pick it up?

I'm glad you went with the DDP - look at it as an opportunity to try new things as well. I know that most seafood is good for me, but I'm always nervous about ordering it because I would pay for something I didn't like. I used the DDP on my last trip to try seafood in 2 restaurants and found out that I like scallops (not really sure that is seafood - is it?) and wasn't a big fan of Salmon. I also tried seafood off of others plates. You can always ask to substitute a fruit or vegetable for the fries at the CS places as well.

Regardless, just enjoy yourself on vacation, that is my plan at DL in 4 weeks.

 

[toystoryduo]

You're doing a great job, Amy! Keep up the good work!

That book sounds like a good one! There are so many wonderful tools out there to help us on our healthy living journey. I hope you'll tell us a little about the book as you read it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Amy,

I finallcaught up with you! It sounds like you have been busy getting back to your routine. I have to say your DS sounds like a remarkable young man. You should be very proud of him. COngrats on getting back on track with your eating. You sound so determined to achieve this.I also think that you made the right choice with the DDP. You can handle it. Remember, you do not need to eat evereything. It is ok to say no to dessert.

I have to share something Kate said. We were eating with my family on Sunday, and my Mom asked if I was going back on my diet Monday. Kate piped in with, "Mimi, diets don't work. You should try a lifestyle." A vacation does not make a lifestyle.

Tak care,
Beth

 

[Amy&Dan]

I weighed today and was down a pound. I also completed the April challenge, so that was all good news. I am officially at 17.8 pounds, so just about fifteen pounds from my biggest loss total of 33. Its really hard to not dwell on the fact that these pounds I am currently working to lose, were already lost and then gained back again. I think once I get past that 33 marker it will really feel good. And I am determined to do that before my trip to see my brother in August. And that will not happen if I spend 15 days eating my weight in food at WDW! I really need to avoid cocktails and bread. Those two things get me into a lot of trouble on vacation. So that is something I just need to be disciplined with no matter what.


Food today was weird, I came in way under on points. My allergies are so bad right now, its making it hard for me to function. Today was 80 and windy which made them worse, tomorrow its supposed to be 45 and rain/snow mix. That may help. Oh and one more note, my beagle Daisy has killed yet another snake! We live near a large field so we get those and she takes care of the problem. After she does her thing, she barks to alert me and then leaves it laying out there nice and dead for somebody else to clean up! OMG I hate snakes, dh of course is working late so ds got snake duty tonight. Very gross. I wish the stupid reptiles would catch on that there is a killer beagle in the yard and just stay away. :

Diane: Here is the link for the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Secrets-Slim-People/dp/0061013382/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b You could probably also check it out from the library.

Tracy: As soon as I start reading it, I'll share the details! Just the little description on the Amazon site (plus Pearlie's recommendation) got me interested.

Beth: I love Kate's analysis! And my ds is really turning into a special young man. I am proud of the way he stuck up for his friend more than anything.

Julie: I leave for WDW (again) in 22 days!

Pearlieq: Thanks for the book recommendation and say hi to Mickey for me!

Amy: If I do what good old Paul says, I'll be doing jus what you recommend, listening to my body! Not something I have typically excelled at but I am trying!

 

[toystoryduo]

Great job on your weight loss and on completing the April exercise challenge Amy! Keep up the good work!

I hear ya about the weight loss thing....I am back to my heaviest weight of all time. At one point, I had lost almost 30 pounds and over the course of the past two years, I have gained it back. It is so hard not to focus on the weight I had lost at one time. But you know what, Amy? We CAN do this!!! Yes, we may have had temporary setbacks in the weight loss department, but now it's time to keep looking forward....We CAN do this! I'm right there with you WISH sis!

I hope you start feeling better soon. Allergy season can be so tough! Mine just started acting up today. Good thing I just stocked up on allergy meds at CVS!

We took a walk to the park yesterday and we saw a snake by the creek and I thought of you. I'm glad Daisy takes care of the snake problem for you.

I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[lovinaz]

Congrats on the loss and the exercise challenge!!!

Wow, I didn't know beagles were such predators. Maybe that's because mine is a total city-boy wimp! Buckley would probably whimper and run away if he saw a snake. I'll have to send him up to you for a couple weeks of Daisy Boot Camp!

I think you are doing awesome, 17.8lbs is a lot of weight! And I think your goal for Aug is realistic, but remember not to get too obsessed about it.

You have a good plan for your next trip, I think if you use your head you will be just fine.