Cam's New Lease on Life Journal (comments welcome!)

[keenercam]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Tracy. You are so sweet and I really appreciate the I LOVE hearing from you. Your "voice" always brightens my day and encourages me.

I am definitely looking forward to the gym tonight and will feel very self-indulgent if I can spend an hour there, part of it on an exercise bike with my book!

 

[Strings]

Hi Cam,

I hope that your DS got the part, and he is feeling better. Hopefully he won't require surgery. As for the speed of your weight loss and your MD's concern. All that fat that you are losing has to be processed by the liver. With a rapid loss, sometimes the liver can't keep up, and you can develop a thing called fatty liver syndrome. It isn't a serious problem, but with your coagulopathy, he might be concernedabout you developing it. 1-2 pouds a week is generally considered safe. Personally, I think you are ok. Sorry to be so boring.
You are doing an amazing job, and keep it up.
Take care,
Beth

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Beth! That makes perfect sense, but I hadn't understood the connection. "Boring"? You? NEVER!!! You are always a wealth of information, and I really, really appreciate you sharing it! I definitely have not averaged more than 1-2 pounds, so hopefully, I can just keep doing what I am doing and I won't find an excuse to be discouraged by my doctor's concerns.

DS has a "callback" tomorrow afternoon, and then they will post parts next Tuesday. It is a comedy (something about baseball), so I am not sure that his talents are suited to this. Thanks for the good wishes, though. I'll just hope for the best. He is already talking about quitting cross-country if he gets a major part, and I really think he needs that physical activity/outlet. I am just leaving it up to God. We'll cross the shcedule issues when they materialize.

 

[keenercam]

Geez, I am having an absolutely horrendous day at work that has now triggered a horrible tension headache. I just ate my lunch and am sitting in my office with the door closed until I feel human enough to interact with other people.

My lunch was good, but it is sitting in my stomach like a rock. And even though I feel stuffed I have an insane desire to eat everything I see just out of stress. I am just going to sit here at my desk and drink my water and not even think about putting anything else in my mouth.

I need a nap.

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Cam!

No eating everything in sight!!!!! That's an order!!!
Can you grab a mintue or two to do some deep breathing and rubbing your temples? I know that that always helps me when I have a tension headache.
I do hope that you feel better eventually.

I also hope that your DS feels better and gets the part, a double good vibe out to him!

Thinking about you and your stress!
Mike

 

[Strings]

Cam,

I hope you are feeling better this evening. Get some rest.
Beth

 

[keenercam]

Hi Cam!

No eating everything in sight!!!!! That's an order!!!
Can you grab a mintue or two to do some deep breathing and rubbing your temples? I know that that always helps me when I have a tension headache.
I do hope that you feel better eventually.

I also hope that your DS feels better and gets the part, a double good vibe out to him!

Thinking about you and your stress!
Mike

Thanks, Mike! I did really well. Only drank water until about 1/2 hour before I was going to leave work. Then I had a light yogurt with some go lean crunch to get me through my time at the gym.

I did get my hour in last night -- 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes on the bike. It was great and relaxing and by the time I left the gym my headache was gone.

Dinner last night was more eggplant parm with fat free cheese (4). Then I had a weight watchers dessert (4), tasted a couple of baked chips (.5) and took the first two bites out of a tastykake crumb cake (2). At the end of all that "treating" I still had 1.5 of my daily points left and hadn't used any of my APs, so that felt good.

Cam,

I hope you are feeling better this evening. Get some rest.
Beth

Thanks, Beth! I did end up going to bed early and I think that really helped my attitude. I haven't been sleeping well most likely due to the stress from work, dealing with my parents' estates, and all sorts of family issues. I had some very bizarre dreams last night, but still woke up refreshed, grateful for 7 1/2 hours of sleep!

It is so gorgeous out today. I would LOVE to get out for a walk, but alas, definitely NOT on the agenda. Besides which I am wearing a really pretty, very fitted dress and heels -- definitely NOT suited to walking. I just may have to call Howard (he's on a golf course) and leave a message on his voicemail for him to stop here and give me a hug on his way home. He has only seen me trying to get this dress over my head (with no luck) and knows I wanted so badly to fit in it. So, he will be blown away when he sees how great it looks (even if I do say so myself! ) My staff is starting to wander in and I am getting all sorts of ego boosts with oohs and aahhs.

More later.

Love you guys for sticking with me through my downs so that I could get to this "up" and enjoy it! I know I'd surely have given up long ago without my dear WISH buddies!

 

[keenercam]

Food today:
B: grilled chicken on lite EM (3); coffee w/skim milk (0)
L: eggplant parm w/ff mozz. over sugar snap peas (4)

As of 1:30 pm -- 60 oz water

This is so odd. I am getting a headache again, almost the exact same time as it came on yesterday Today's is a terrible sinus headache! Have to go find something to take for it. Ugh!

 

[keenercam]

5:45 and heading out soon to play chauffeur for DS12. Hoping to hear his audition went well. He is the soloist for his boys' choir this season, so I am hoping his music director (who is the asst. director for this play) doesn't think it would be too much for him to get a major part in this. I know she is looking at his performing arts camp experience this summer as a real showing of his dedication, passion, and skill. I am hoping she will facilitate his desire to build his acting experience and not just vocal.

Hoping to have enough energy and not too much of a headache to head to the gym later. Would LOVE to get back into the routine of going several times a week. May do a 5K next Wednesday night for the Red Cross with every penny raised going to Katrina victims. I have not made it yet to a single 5K on a worknight because of how crazy it can get in my office. Am hoping that is not the case next Wednesday.

Oh, yeah, almost forgot. I got another 20+ ounces of water in, and ate my apple. Still have a good number of points left for dinner and dessert, but I will NOT stop at Taco Bell when I leave the gym. There is only one serving left of the awesome eggplant parm I made and I will probably have that for dinner, though I will hate to not have it for lunch tomorrow. Hmmmm. .. . I'll have to decide on that.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

cam--i know you are probably out with your son, but just wanted to stop by and say hi and see how you were doing!
good luck to your son tonight!!
hope you are able to get the gym in tonight and able to do the 5k..thats amazing!!

you are doing such a great job cam and im so proud of you !!

 

[keenercam]

Thank you so much, Jen! You are a sweetheart! Look at that counter! YIPPEE!!!!

Last night went well --I was home by 6:40, grabbed something quick to eat, took DS to boy scouts, then I went to the gym, then to DD's school to see the colorguard practice and to round up some parent volunteers to work on flags. UGH! Anyone sew? Then home at 9:15 for "real dinner". I am convinced that my morning weigh ins are higher when I eat a late dinner. I will have to remember that the night before my dr. appt. next week.

So, to finish out food last night:
6:45 -- grilled chicken breast on lite english muffin (3)
9:15 -- egg beaters w/salsa & ff cheese (2.0)
9:45 -- 15 baked tortillas w/salsa & ff cheese (3.5); 1 weight watchers choc snack cake (1)

Was good on points and didn't use any of my APs earned at the gym.

Plan for today through this weekend:
B: grilled chicken on lite EM (3); coffee(s) w/creamer (1)
S: petite banana (1) (had to throw the apple away -- disgusting brown and mealy
L: eggplant parm w/ff cheese over sugar snap peas (3)
S: veggies & fat free dip (1); lite yogurt (2)

Saturday's schedule:
leave home 5:30 a.m. to help set up & run band's pancake breakfast until 10 a.m.
10:00--1:00 "colorguard mom" for home football game
1:00 -- work until ?????

Hopefully, go to see "Flight Plan"

Sunday -- work all day
Leave for NY at about 3 for 8:30 Broadway Tribute Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims. Hoping to have Famous Ray's Pizza for dinner. Will have to be good during the day to save points for that!

Well, that should keep me busy.

My secretary is out today, so it could be crazy or it could be mellow. Hoping for something in between.

 

[eeyore25]

HI Cam!!!! My mother was a colorguard mom too!!! At least with my older sister and me! I think she really enjoyed! Ask her then and she would have said no way!!!

Sounds like you have a really busy day/weekend ahead of you.

I hope you have a wonderful time in NY! Stay stay and healthy!

Jamie

 

[keenercam]

Jamie -- did you spin a flag? DD loves it and it is having a big impact on her college choices. Did you continue after high school? Kudos to your mom for being involved through two kids! I have to admit -- I love it. I really enjoy the time with the kids -- for the most part, they are absolutely sweethearts! (though, God knows, anytime 15 teenage girls spend any significant amount of time together, there is going to be D-R-A-M-A!!!)

Kind of like this ----->

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Cam!!

Just wanted to say hi and wish you soooo much fun at the Broadway benefit Sunday! I will be thinking about the fun you're having while I am stuck here on duty from 4:30 today to 8:30am Monday! LOL
Oh, I definitely am with you about the late dinner affecting the morning weigh in!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!! Tell Elphaba and Galinda I said hi!

Mike

 

[keenercam]

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!! Tell Elphaba and Galinda I said hi!

Mike

Ahhhh. . . . I see you "get it!" Wayyy cool. Can't wait to hear what you think of the book when you finish it! Maybe you will have time this weekend while you are on the dreaded duty!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Rizel]

37.5 pounds to go!! congrats!! and you can do it!!

Your weekend looks like so much fun and so busy as well. Whatever happened to those weekends, where people slept in, lazed around the house, watched tv and got light cleaning done?

Have a great great weekend, your doing awesome!

 

[keenercam]

Thank you so much, Rizel! And look at you-- knocking those challenge days down like they're nothing!

Wow! It has already been such a busy weekend! Friday night DH and I used our gift certificates for a restaurant called Iron Hill Brewery. I did really well :
1/2 piece bread; 1/2 piece crusty roll; 1 crabcake with corn relish & 3 small roasted potatoes; coffee; 1/2 scoop coffee ice cream (I brought the leftover food home and left the rest of the bread and ice cream with no problem!)

Saturday:
B: helped run a pancake breakfast from 5:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and did not touch the food -- I ate an apple & a light yogurt
Then in to work until 6 pm
L: LC peanut chicken (6); soy crisps (2); veggies w/fat free dip (1)
D: crab cake w/3 small potatoes (6); light chips (2)
Movies (FLIGHT PLAN was awesome!): light popcorn (yes, I took some with me!) (2); 2 pretzel bites (1)
Snack: light turkey on low fat tortilla (4)

Today's plan:
9:00 -- grilled chicken on weight watchers bagel (4); coffee (0)

Will work until about 2, then home to dress for the Broadway Benefit. Hoping for Famous Ray's Pizza for dinner, so I am saving almost all the rest of my points for the day. I may do a light yogurt or some light string cheese.

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Cam,

I know you are in transit to NYC right now but I wanted you to know of the seething jealousy I feel towards you right now knowing you will be seeing all of that great Broadway action!! hehe!

"GLINDA
I hope you're happy
I hope your happy now that your choosing this -

ELPHABA
You too--
I hope it brings you bliss

GLINDA & ELPHABA
I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy my friend"

Mike

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Cam!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thank you so much for the posts in my journal. I appreciate you and the encouragement that you give me. Thank you, Cam!

 

[keenercam]

My pleasure, Tracy! It is always so nice of you to stop by here.

Mike -- The show was wonderful, though not at all what I expected. We were blown away by all the incredible talent in one place at one time. It was very "casual" and there weren't many performances of songs from the plays. None of the performers were in their play costumes and many of the ensembles sang songs other than those from their plays. The highlights for me were: "Conviction of the Heart" by the cast of Wicked; "Shameless" Pas de Deux (sp?) from Movin Out (phenomenal!); Midnight from Cats by Ben Vereen and "Seasons of Love" by the cast of Rent. There were many, many other amazing moments, but those are the ones that come to mind right now.

Before the performance, we went to Mars 2112 for dinner and it was a weird choice for us but the food was good. We shared nachos (Howard has wanted nachos each time we've gone out to eat the past several weeks but passed them up because I didn't want them, so I "gave in" this time). Once I knew we were doing nachos I chose a cobb salad for dinner. Took most of the bacon off and didn't use the dressing. We didn't order coffee and dessert and we didn't get any treats at intermission at the performance, so not too bad over all (even though I used some FPs).

The one thing I really, really wish I would have done differently is WATER. I think I didnt' even drink 40 oz yesterday, so I am still feeling parched. Typically, I drink over 80 oz every day. I guess I was worried about having to go to the ladies' room during the show. But, during dinner, I drank diet soda with lemon -- I really should have had water. I will definitely get back on track with that today.

Sunday:
B: grilled chicken on WW bagel (4); coffee (0)
L: soy crisps (3); string cheese (1)
D: 1/2 order nachos (15?); cobb salad: 1 HB egg (2), turkey (4), 2 sl bacon (3)
Dessert: 1/2 soy candy bar (.5)

Today:
B: cheerios w/skim milk (3); coffee w/creamer (.5); lite EM w/scrape of fat free margarine and scrape of sugar free jam (1.5)
L: apple (1); lite yogurt w/kashi (2); lite peanut butter (2); lite english muffin (1)

1:40pm -- lunch turned out to be something different than planned, due to a line-up at the microwave. I love cut up apples, and did that first so I wouldn't nosh on everything in sight. Then made my yogurt taste better with just a couple crunchies from kashi go lean crunch. The lite english muffin with some light peanut butter was very satisfying, and I dipped the apple in that and in the yogurt. So, it feels like it was a filling, flavorful lunch. Let's see how long it holds me.

I have a meeting tonight at 7:15 and want to go to the gym after that, so I think I am going to eat my LC (from lunch) for dinner around 6:15, and see if I can avoid eating anything too filling the rest of the night. I won't be home from the gym until 9:30 or 9:45, so I will have to persuade myself to go right to bed with a book, rather than stopping in the kitchen.

1/2 marathon training starts Sunday. Getting nervous and excited.