Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[eyor44]

HI Amy!
Congratulations on the loss!!!! You earned it. You go girl! You are definitely headed in the right direction. I am very proud of you and really admire your determination. Keep it up and you will definitely succeed.

for you. The pain of missing your mom will get easier. Never go away, but a little easier. Sounds like you are on the right track with this also.

 

[goldcupmom]

Congrats on the loss! 1.5 is GREAT!!!

Your workouts are really good, so maybe you are short on food. I've been eating the high fiber quaker oatmeal & it seems to keep me full. Most places here only have the maple/brown sugar, but I've also tried the cinnamon & it is good. It's like 2 pts on WW.

Have a great week!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Ladies.

I did well with Mexican food. I got a house salad with ranch on the side (and used a tiny bit, mostly used salsa) and a chicken taco. I did eat the rice and beans because I was starving but I ate very slowly and was determined to stop when I got full. So I left a few bites. Then for dinner I just had a small pancake and a piece of bacon. I wasn't that hungry so I ate very little.

Today was my aquasize day. Thursday's class has dwindled in numbers a bit because some of the women who normally aquasize have opted out to go to a Silver class instead and with fewer women, we can work harder and really burn some calories in that pool. Since these two new instructors started, I notice a lot of people, who are heading into the sauna, stand there by the pool and watch us all working hard. Today, one man yelled out to us, "you broads are kicking a$$"! I guess that was a compliment! I love this class and seriously would do it another day of the week if they offered it. But I am happy that at least they now offer two days a week of a higher level of aquasize and I know I'll tone if I stick with it and right now I am at the point I won't miss it. Dd now knows on Tues/Thursday she has to get her little hiney in gear because I can't be late!

I am also trying to widen my food horizons. I have sworn off frozen dinners. They are too expensive and too full of sodium. For years, I always had a frozen meal for lunch. So now I have to sort of plan more. Today I had tuna salad roll ups in lettuce leaves and some veggies with dip. And I ate the oatmeal for breakfast and there was no comparison of how much more that tided me over. So my protein shake will now be my afternoon snack. And I am still behaving with almonds! I am very proud of that. When I eat them, I think of my mom's alzheimers and how anything I can do to avoid that fate if possible is a good thing. Dd is also enjoying the almonds and she measures hers out too. The kid is 5'1" and weighs 75 pounds but I am so glad she is learning about portions. Because her gene pool won't have her staying that way forever and learning now is easier than learning later.

Julie, I"ll have to look for that high fiber oatmeal. Right now I eat the reduced sugar maple and brown sugar and I make it with skim milk instead of water. But more fiber is a good thing!

Lisa, Even though I lost my dad before my mom, I was only 7 so I didn't really have the same experience at all when he died. When I lost her, it really knocked my socks off with how deeply I grieved. I think I thought that since she had been sick for so long, I was somehow prepared. I wasn't! But I definitely feel the darkest days are behind me.

Barb: The new breakfast was a very good idea. No comparison in fact!

Amy: You are so right, a loss is a loss. As always, what I know with my brain and what I do with my mind are sometimes slow to catch up to each other! But comparing is for shopping, not for the rest of life! I worked hard and I am happy with what I lost.

Tracy: I had fun at lunch, I tried to focus on the company and not the food!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Forgot to add I am going to start working a few hours a week at the same elementary school my kids went to. I have a friend who teachers there and she is desparate need for volunteers. I am not only excited to do this because I miss volunteering with that age now that my kids are older, but also, this could be a way for me to get my foot in the door for a paid position at some point. The district is so innudated with applications, that you really have to have an inside connection to get on. I am hopeful!

 

[lovinaz]

That's so cool that you will be volunteering at the school! And yes, you are right - sometimes it helps to have your foot in the door when jobs come along.

I notice a huge difference in hunger level when I don't have my beloved chocolate oatmeal for breakfast. I'm glad you found something that works for you. And I like the Weight Control oatmeal, which has tons of fiber (that might be the kind Julie is talking about?)

That is wonderful that you enjoy your aquasize class, it makes it so much easier to stick with your routine.

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go on the volunteering, Amy! I hope that opens the door for a paid position very soon!

Great job on your aquasize days!

Hope you have a nice weekend ahead!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Amy and Tracy. I volunteer at church weekly but haven't been able to volunteer in school since Maria went to middle school where they basically don't even want the parents around. I miss it. In my old life, I was going to be a teacher (got about two thirds of the way to my degree) and it still feels right to be in the classroom. Gosh, back when my kids were in elementary, I was at school at least three days a week. And I'll still see kids from ds third grade class in particular who come and tell me they'd still not know thier times tables if I hadn't worked with them on math games. So yeah, its a way for me to reconnect with something I love and if something paid works out great, if not, well its still time well spent. And honestly, I doubt a paid posititon does come up, our district is cutting back on aids and its only going to get worse now that our state has cut back 16 million in education funding. But you never know.

I have a super busy day today but I got out early and walked for 45 minutes. Outside where it was a rather frosty 28 degrees. Thank goodness there was no wind! I just knew that if I didn't go early, it wouldn't happen. And it was a sunny morning and I got to see lots of geese which was lovely and my old coyote friend was back. He lives in the field right behind dd's school and when I have walked at the track the last few times he hasn't been around. But today he was there, keeping an eye on me and enjoying some sunshine too! I almost took Daisy with me and I am glad I didn't. Even on a leash, they'll go after dogs. So she stayed home on the couch , safe and sound!

This has been a great week. I worked out five times (made my exercise goal thank you very much) food has been very good (did use up six flex points last night on baked chips but that's okay) and I ate my allotted fruits and veggies all five days. So I am happy and feeling good.

The best thing of the week was that yesterday, all four of us were active. Dan did the Wii Fit as did dd (she did an hour, she loves that thing), and ds went to young Marine training and spent 90 minutes running, doing push ups, pull ups and sit ups all while some seargeant yelled at him and the other boys they were old ladies and sucked! I'd probably cry, he loves that. Wonder why when I yell at him he isn't as impressed and appreciative?

I am taking ds out to lunch today to celebrate the end of finals (he gets off early) and I asked him if I could pick out the place. Since ds will basically eat anything, he was fine with that. So we'll probably go to Tokyo Joes so I can get a nice healthy chicken and veggie bowl. And I intend to tell them to leave off all but a small portion of rice. If they put it on, I'll probably eat it and its at least two cups!

Thanks for stopping by and all the support, it really helps me out!

 

[solar]

Sounds like you had a nice day earlier this week with the walk and restaurant with a friend. Hope you did good with the chips...going to keep reading and find out!

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Not for losing the 1.5, but because you said - I HAVE TO STOP DOING THAT...don't compare yourself to years ago, to friends, whatever...be proud of each and every pound. I think of it as 4 sticks of butter melting off of me!

Woohoo, just read you did good with the Mexican food! Nice save! Also nice job on expanding your horizons on food. I'm trying to do that too...going better than I thought it would.

Hopefully the volunteering leads to a paid position down the road.

Deb

 

[lovinaz]

You did AWESOME this week!!!!

I think you have found your calling with being a teacher! Maybe one of these days you will be in a position to finish that degree and make a career out of it. We are in the same bad position as you with school budget cuts. I can't believe they are so willing to take money away from the very thing that is shaping the future of the population!

Good job planning out your lunch early. Can you get brown rice? That's a little better for you and I think it's just as yummy!

 

[inkkognito]

Sounds like you're doing great with both food and exercise!

That coyote sounds cool but a little scary that they'll go after a leashed dog. Reminds me of when I was walking with my neighbors in the preserve area once and they had their micro-dog on a leash. An owl followed us all the way downtown with it's eye on the dog.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Got through lunch today, ate only half the rice and didn't miss it one bit. Luckily I had ds with me and he was more than willing to finish it off for me!

Just another quick note, I got our WDW trip paid off!!! Its going to be frugal around here for the next two weeks, but it was now or never (all other paychecks seem to be otherwise occupied for the next couple of months) So now I just need to save for meals and of course my huge dog boarding bill. But I feel so good its paid off. And so happy we have that $300 gift card waiting for us when we check in. I think I can start to get excited again, its been so touch and go with this trip ever since the torndado and Dan's dad, I really hadn't let myself believe we would get to go!

Barb, I have seen this coyote for a couple of years now (pretty sure its the same one) and I know not to take Daisy out there. But he's been gone lately so I thought maybe he'd moved on. Guess not! Somewhat near to me, they were out of control and attacked and killed several dogs in fenced yards and on a leash. When they are hungry, they get very mean. They never attack humans (well almost never) so I dont' feel scared for msyelf alhtought its creepy sometimes when he just sits out there looking at me!

Deb: Yeah, I survived Mexican food. I still can't believe it, Mexican and I have a long standing relationship of excess!

Amy:I really always thought for years I'd get back to teaching. But with what those teachers go through with CSAP (our standarized tests here in Colo), and the way kids are today, I think being an aide would in some ways be more rewarding. Less politics, less aggravation and of course less pay. Although if you work way up to a higher level, you can make pretty decent and you still get into the teacher's pension fund. So I may be developing a plan! Although in some ways, I'd still love to find that part time office job. Can you tell I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!?!

 

[lovinaz]

CONGRATS on getting your trip paid off!

There is nothing wrong with still not knowing what you want to be! The key is to always be thinking about it - there are tons of possibilities!

We had a coyote here walk into a house through the garage (they were unloading groceries from the car) and drag out a 1 year old! Fortunately the parents were right there and chased it away, but you are so right - we are invading their habitat with more and more housing and they have no where to go and get pretty brave sometimes. At least you have the common sense to leave little Miss Daisy at home, to avoid any temptation for your coyote friend!

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go on getting your trip paid off!!!!

Great job at lunch yesterday! I need to do the half rice thing at Chipotle. I always get too much rice there!

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

[solar]

haaa, i wanted to comment on this more than anything....your huge dog boarding bill!

We have 3 dogs, and their kennel bill usually costs what our hotel bill does! LOL I SOoooooooooooo relate to that one

Congrats on paying off your trip!

 

[traceycooper]

wow i've never seen a coyote! - the scariest thing in my garden is squirrels & pigeons!
great news for the volunteering - heres hoping it will lead on to something paid
we have to put our cat in boarding for 3 weeks when we go WDW over $400 we tell ourselves its her holiday
so jealous you've managed to pay off your trip - but pleased for you too

 

[eyor44]

Hi Amy
Sounds like you had a good week also. I am very proud of how well you did at the Mexican restaruant. and twice a week at aquasizing way to go!

Your coyote sounds like my alligator at work. He has been MIA since winter set in and I miss seeing him. I named him George and his little brother is Felix.

How wonderful you are volunteering at the school. One of my friends is a Kindegarten assistant. She loves it. She agrees with what you said, being an assistant is good cause you don't have all the hassle the teachers have, yet she still gets to work with children and teach them.

Congrats on paying off your trip! Too bad you can't find someone to keep Daisy while you are gone.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks ladies.

This past weekend was so extremely busy, I don't even know where it went! I had one food challenge after another but handled them as best I could.

Friday, we had pizza and I had a couple of pieces, two light beers and one breadstick. I could have done better but I could have done worse.

Saturday I had lunch out with a friend, I got a Turkey burger at Friday's and only ate half. And I gave most of my fries to dd who wanted fries with her meals but I told her "no, order oranges and you can have half of mine". Which was perfect. And neither of us ate all of our respective halves! Then I came home from a thing at church and ate on target with points. That day was perfect and it could have been a disaster as TGI Fridays has very little in the way of healthy selections.

Sunday went down to Colo. Springs to have lunch with my sister. She gets pretty lonely on the weekends. We went for Mexican as always, dh and split a meal which was good since it was extremely greasy and I ate WAY too many chips. But I slammed water and skipped dinner and got right back on track today.

I worked out six days in a row last week! Took yesterday off and was back at the gym today.

So things are going well, we'll see what the scale says. I got to thinking that if I lost 1.5 pounds a week for a year, I"d be down 75 pounds. Kinda makes me appreicate last week's loss a bit more!

Talked with my brother today, they are at the Poly, I could hear the ferry boats in the background. I can't wait for March!!!

Tracey: I still have to save for meals, but that $300 gift card will help.

Deb: My doggy hotel has a dog bone shaped indoor pool. Daisy is quite happy there! Pets add expense to all areas of our lives!

Tracy: One portion of rice is one half cup. I can't even imagine how much I eat at my Chipotle and my Japanese place. But its at least four times that!

Lisa: With the way education is nowadays, I am not surprised your friend appreciates her job as is! I think I'd be way more scared of an alligator than my coyote friend!

Amy: Omg, that must have been terrifying for those people! I think we had problems around here in the fall because we had so much cold weather and snow so early. Probably sent all their food into hibernation early and they got aggressive with dogs. I actually feel sorry for them. But not if they try to get my Daisy!

 

[toystoryduo]

Your brother is at the Poly right now?!?!? I hope they are having a wonderful time!

Great job on getting in 6 workouts last week!

Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

 

[solar]

Hello Amy!!! Great job on controlling your choices while you were out, and getting in 6 days of exercise! Great job!!! Laughing about the bone shaped pool. Ours doesn't have that, but we pay for extras like playtime and walks so they can burn extra energy.

 

[lovinaz]

You are doing AWESOME!!!

Way to go getting those 6 workouts in! And behaving at the restaurants! And getting back on track right after a restaurant meal!!!!

And the best part is that you can appreciate that 1.5lb loss and use it to focus on the big picture. I LOVE your attitude right now!!!!

That bone pool sounds so cute! Buckley fell into our non-bone shaped pool when he was about 2 months old and he is scared of the water. Oh well, keeps him out of our pool in the summertime!