Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[goldcupmom]

Glad your snow is gone! I'm really loving our weather right now!

Payday for Breakfast? Mine today & yesterday was TWIX..... Nice to know we are so alike!

Disneyland.....hmmmmmmmm......maybe would be easier/cheaper than WDW for DD. Gotta think on that one!

Hope the leg is feeling better. I've done that strain thing before & no fun!

Praying for your FIL. Not a fun time for you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[lovinaz]

Sorry to hear about FIL's health struggles! I hope he gets fixed up soon.

As for your friend's party, maybe it was a surprise and they didn't make the guest list? If not, I wouldn't worry about it. I think she sent a big message when she wasn't there to support you with your mom, even after you supported her through her marital problems. You can come to any of my partys anytime!

How did WI go? Hopefully it wasn't as bad as you were envisioning...

 

[Amy&Dan]

So I was up about 1.6. On one hand I was discouraged, on the other hand, I was on vacation only to come back to a bunch of Halloween candy so maybe its not the end of the world! This is definitely not the easiest time of year to do well, but I am determined to keep going to the meetings and plugging away. It may be January before I see much in the way of a big weight loss, but at least maybe I won't gain any weight. God knows I can't afford to.

So we are going over to friend's tonight to watch the Nuggets, then tomorrow night I having two other couples plus their kids over for dinner. Its tough for me to do well on the weekends with friends but I need to do the best I can. I don't even know what my friend is serving tonight, she said either pizza or Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches. Neither of which is diet friendly! Oh well, I don't have to eat a truckload right? Saturday, I am making tacos and I am going to do very lean ground beef and chicken and try to stay out of the chips and salsa. Then Sunday we are going to make a meal as a family, where each one of us is responsible for one part of the meal. My only guideline with everyone is that it has to be healthy!

FIL is still receiving plasma to thicken his blood and they hopefully should be doing his procedure right about now as I type this. Hopefully it will all go well.

Julie: If you want, pm me about DL vs. WDW. I might be able to give you some pointers about the cost of DL vs. WDW. Its not always cheaper to go to DL at all!

Amy: It was definitely not a surprise party. I just think Dan and I don't show up on her radar anymore. Oh well, such is life. And I also realized that the night of that party, we had a thing with some of our really good friends so its not like I was sitting home feeling lonely!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

I was up 1.6 too! It's a small world after all. You know...This can be a tough time of year with the holidays coming up and all. We just need to take it one day at a time. We CAN do this, Amy!

Sending lots of prayers for your FIL. He has been through so much lately. Please keep us updated on how he is doing.

Hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[lovinaz]

I think 1.6 is definitely not bad under the circumstances! And I don't want to hear that attitude, missy! You CAN lose weight over the holidays! I know you can. Try to tell yourself that this won't happen unless you make some small sacrifices. You can avoid unhealthy food and live to tell about it! And no one is going to judge you for it either. And once you see those pounds start to melt off, you will get further into the zone and next thing you know, you'll be at goal. That's my pep talk for the day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Tracy: Lets week lets both LOSE 1.6 okay??? THis time of year is tough!

Amy: I NEED that pep talk!

I did pretty okay with food yesterday. I had a breaded chick sandwich for dinner, two and half light beers, a few chips, some baked fries and some salad. I had done very well food throughout the day so it was fine. No exericse though. Just ran out of time. I also had one half a very small brownie that I made. Brought some home and have thus far not eaten a bite all day!

Tonight is my get together. I made a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. We'll see how that goes. I also made stuff for tacos tonight, including some white meat chicken. Maybe I'll just make myself a healthy taco salad. Dan and I had lunch out at a Mexican place (I stopped in there to get rice and beans for tonight). I had one light beer and half an order of nachos. Very small order of nachos. So not horrible. This place is a greasy spoon but oh so delish so I think I came out okay. Tonight will be a challenge.

They drained two litres of fluid out of Dan's dad's chest cavity last night. They did it about six hours later than they had hoped, it took that long to thicken his blood so that they could do the procedure. He has pneumonia so he's going to be in a few more days. But he was much more comfortable today. I can't even imagine have what equates to a two litere bottle of pepsi drained out of my chest. No wonder he was short of breath and not feeling well. Please pray this is the final hurdle for him!

I will have to catch up on journals tomorrow more than likely.

 

[toystoryduo]

How did your get together go last night?

Sending lots of prayers for your FIL. He has been through so much the past few weeks. I hope that he is feeling better and can go home very soon.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[lovinaz]

I hope your FIL is recovering well!

Mmmm, pumpkin cake! Sounds like you had some good options for your get-togethers. Hope you had fun!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy and AMy. Fil continues to improve, he is still in the hospital and they don't seem to be in a big hurry to release him this time which is probably a good thing. Thanks for all your well wishes, I will keep you updated!

And my get together was very fun, just a nice fun night with good friends.

Today was so busy. But I got so much done, which was very nice. And I did in spite of a very hectic day get a 30 minute walk in. I was set to beat myself up for not walking an hour, but then realized that it would have been very easy to do nothing at all so I settled into being happy for what I had done, not upset about what I hadn't.

I did well with food too which was good. Yesterday was really tough as was Saturday. I ate too much at my get together and then yesterday got too hungry and ate some cake and chips. Not a lot but I had really wanted to not eat any of that after Saturday (There wasn't a lot of leftovers and I should have just tossed the leftover cake and chips). Last night it was very fun to cook our family dinner. We made: Orange fizzy drinks (that was ds' portion of the meal) for our before dinner "cocktails", then dd and I made baked chicken parmesan, and Dan made pasta. It was all very good and very healthy. I split a portion of chicken with dd and then split up the remaining chicken breast into two lunches. So that was all good. I just wish I had stayed out of the cake and chips earlier in the day but I didn't eat too much. But enough to know that I probably went over on my flex points. Weekends kill my good intentions way too often.


Today I made crockpot bbq pork tenderloin. I had to take ds to an appointment and knew we'd get home at 7:00 starved. So it was good to have dinner ready and waiting. Love my crockpot! Ds' day/night/week was made at the eye doctor when a nice older guy saw his Marines jacket and told him he had been a marine for 26 years way back when (he was also wearing a Marine jacket) and had done two tours in Vietnam in that 26 years and had a son in Iraq. Thanks to a behind schedule office, they talked for quite awhile. Ds is so wanting to go into the Marines. And mom is so nervous about that! But I thought it was really nice of that man to take such an interest and talk to him. He told me the look on my face looked just like his mom's had so many years ago!

So in all, tough weekend but a good start to the week. Tomorrow I want to go to the rec center and then I have the dentist (my favorite thing). I have my menus all planned for the week. And I am happy to say, I am really pushing the water. Back up to my 80-100 oz. Don't know how or why I got out of the habit but at least I am back on the water wagon!

 

[eyor44]

HI Amy
Now I am caught up with you also. How is FIL this evening? Do well still I hope. I will continue to pray for his recovery.

And DD is doing good. She certainly had to go through some things last week. Oldest DS had a problem with ingrown nails, but finally learned how to care for it, so it doesn't get infected anymore.

So, your DS wants to go in the Marines. My second DS wants to be a pilot. He is thinking the Navy now since he is in the Navy JROTC. Makes me nervous also. But we just have to have faith. Faith will get you through a lot I am learning.

Stay on track with the food. You did great on vacation I think. Now that you are getting your water and exercise again, you'll be right where you want to be in no time. You can do it.

 

[toystoryduo]

Your food and exercise look good, Amy!

Sending more prayers for your FIL......

I hope you have a wonderful day, WISH sis!

 

[lovinaz]

My DS wanted to be in the Army for YEARS. And finally, this year he changed his mind! Not to say he won't change it back, but it's good to know that he is able to look at other options... And even if your DS does follow that path, there is nothing wrong with it, the military has provided stable lives for lots of people (my brother is still in the USAF) and there are many jobs that wouldn't involve going overseas. And who knows, there might not even be an "overseas" by the time he got out of boot camp! BUt that is great that he got to talk to someone with real experience.

Great job this weekend! Even with the cake and chips, you did good in all other aspects. Keep it up!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Ladies,

I somehow didn't make it on here yesterday. I was in sort of a depressed mood all day. And finding out dh and I both have to have several hundred dollars worth of dental work done on the next month (Merry Christmas honey) didn't help! I ate too many low fat, but worthless carb snacks (100 calorie packs can be counter productive sometimes) but did finally make myself go for a walk for 45 minutes. So far this week, I have kept my promise of working out each day! A milestone given I have been very bad with that lately.

I did walk today for 55 minutes at the gym and will walk for 30 minutes tonight with dh. But I am mad as all get out that in spite of trying to be good at Starbucks, I didn't do as well as I thought! Had I looked up the points before I left for there (took a friend in there to cheer her up after we worked out) would have ordered differently. Plan ahead Amy, you know better!!!!

Also, Dd and I are making porcupine balls for dinner tonight which are basically meatballs with rice in them. I bought 96% lean ground beef and thought they would be pretty low, but got on the WW site and used their recipe builder to figure out points and they are 8 points per serving. Way higher than I would have thought. So I am glad I figured that for real, I would have guestimated about half that. So that one at least I looked up before I ate!

Here is today's food:
Breakfast: Slim Fast shake: 4
Lunch: Lean Cuisine: 4, lf yogurt: 2
Snack: Starbucks hot chocolate and 1/2 piece of low fat coffee cake: 8
Dinner Porcupine balls (8), salad (1)
Snack: Orange: 2
Total: 29

Had I gotten hot tea at Starbucks and not allowed my friend to suggest and talk me into that coffee cake, I would have done much better today and had more points to work with. At least I did tell my friend that I would share the coffee cake instead of eating the whole piece myself. But when I got on dottie's site to look up the points, I saw firsthand how high their baked goods are. I mean one piece of their classic coffee cake has 12.5 points! I do like the skim milk hot chocolate and I didn't get the whip cream. But still. Oh well, lesson learned. I actually came in a couple of points under but I am sure I will find those someplace.

Lisa: My son originally wanted to be in the Navy, but changed his mind about six months ago that he wants to be a marine. I need to look into JROTC for him. I think its good if they get a bit of a feel for the military thing before they join!

Tracy: Fil is supposedly being released today. Thanks for your continued good thoughts and prayers!

Amy: I am actually really proud of ds and have thought the military would be a great fit for him. I have a cousin who was career navy and I saw what a great life it can be. And you are right, by the time Matthew goes in (if he does) things may look very different on the world scene. He wants to do his four years then go to college for law enforcement. One thing about it, this dream of his has really given him a lot of direction and determination which I really like. But you know me, I have to worry about something!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending a gentle your way, Amy. I hope today has been a good day for you.

Great job staying consistent with your exercise!! Keep up the good work!

I hear you on the Starbucks thing. I always go in and tell myself I am just buying tea, but sometimes, a piece of coffee cake ends up right in front of me. Not sure how that happens though!

Have a nice evening!

 

[DisDee]

Have a wonderful day Amy!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy and Denise!

Well, dh came home last night, his company is doing paycuts. So not what we needed right now, but who does? At least for the time being, he has a job. And I was having such a good day. When I think about what he made five years ago, versus what he makes now, and what he'll make with a paycut, well I am amazed we are still standing. So that's a good thing. In any case, he has to work more hours for less pay so that's a big bummer for him.

I ended up having a light beer and only one porcupine ball for dinner so I came in under points quite a bit. And stepped on the scale to be up three pounds. My oh my, stress really does make the scale unhappy doesn't it?

As we sat down to discuss our lot in life, we realized WDW might be out of the picture for March. But then I realized if we really downgraded our package, switched to Pop, nuked the park hoppers and QSDP that would save us a bunch of money and maybe make it still possible. I did tell the kids that we might not get to go and we would just have to play it by ear. I have had a bad feeling about this for weeks (they have been laying off people and giving others paycuts so it seemed inevitable) and I guess when I am right, well, I'm right.

I am not nearly as stressed as poor Dan is. I just keep telling him it will be fine, God is in control and worrying about it won't change a thing. He's not alone, Lord knows lots of other people are faced with the same thing. And I am so glad we got rid of our DVC already and have trimmed back in many other areas. I am still going to keep looking for job. I filled out apps at several stores this week looking for Christmas help. I was told at our Kohls they will take applications but probably won't hire since they anticipate not many people will be shopping. But I filled it out anyway, why not after all?

I may wait and weigh on Saturday. I just hate being up again. And other than a lousy weekend, I have done pretty well. So I may just go anyway. After all, its just me and the weigh booth lady, its not like they kick you out if you gain. They take your money with a smile no matter what you weigh and act all positive!

Dd has no school tomorrow. She and I are going to go to the Hallmark store and pick out her ornament and go to Marie Callendar's for pie. I haven't been to Marie Callendars in two years, that was a place I went with my mom at least twice a month for years. I told her I may shed a tear when I walk in and see "our" table but I am excited to have a day with her. I told her we'll just have pie for lunch, who needs real food??!! And who knows, maybe my mom will join us in spirit and enjoy the day with us!

Thanks for reading. I figure things, could always be worse.

 

[lovinaz]

You go girl! How right you are - who needs real food for lunch??

I'm so sorry to hear about Dan's paycut. At least you can look at the positive that he still has a job. My stepmom (GM) had to take a 7.5% cut last May. It was tough to get used to, but I know you will get adjusted to the new norm.

I say go to WW. It is something you have to get in the habit of doing. And you always said it makes you feel good, so do it!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy what else can I do? I mean any job, and one with benefits is a blessing to have in these times. We have friends and both of them are out of work, no insurance, no house (foreclosed) so I am way better off.

Sadly, this paycut will be more like 30% so that is a biggie, but I still think we can make it work.

I am definitely going to WW tomorrow. I mean, I have pie for lunch and a birthday party at Old Chicago for dinner so weighing on Saturday won't be desireable to say the least! I intend to enjoy Old C's, its our last meal out for who knows how long!

When I look at it that way, this paycut will definitely help the diet since eating out is killer lol.

 

[eyor44]

Oh Amy, I am so sorry about Dan's paycut. And right before Christmas. Well, I guess that is better than right after Christmas. Hope things will not stay this way for long. praying you will find something for the holidays. Do you have a ToysRUs near you? I have read a couple articles lately that say they are hiring lots of seasonal workers. and you have kids so you "know" toys.

Way to go on working out this week. You have done great.

I hope you and DD have a nice day together.

 

[toystoryduo]

Amy,

I'm so sorry to hear about Dan's paycut. I will be praying for you and your family. My DH took a paycut on two of his contracts this year to the tune of 50% and 30% each. We were very nervous when we found out about them, but God has seen us through. He will see you and Dan through this too, my friend.

I'll send you a PM soon with a list of sites that can help you earn and save money. They might help with day to day expenses and with saving for your WDW trip.

Have a wonderful time with your DD today! Know that we are praying for you and Dan, WISH sis!