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

[keenercam]

After I logged all my food last night, I realized I still had some points, so I had a piece of tortuga rum cake (coconut flavor) from our July 2004 Disney Cruise. It was delicious and really brought back memories of being in Grand Cayman.

Food today:
B: 2 lite flour tortillas w/fat free cheddar (4)
L: veggies in lemon pepper sauce (3); Greek Salad (5)

Have decided NOT to get pizza at my favorite pizza place tonight because I wouldn't be able to resist a caramel apple w/nuts right next door. Am looking forward to having a LC spinach and cheese pizza, since I have read on the WW board that they are really delicious. Maybe I will dress it up a bit with some sliced mushrooms. YUM.

DD has a football game tonight that I am not going to, and DH and DS are going camping, so I am looking forward to a quiet night at home. I hope to get some of my summer clothes out of my closet, either put away for next summer or put in a carton for ebay or donation. Will be interested to see which of my winter clothes from last year are usable. Hoping it will be fun, and not frustrating. The bad thing is that I wore my clothes so darn tight last winter (refused to buy bigger sizes), that some of them might actually fit comfortably or a bit loose now. Am hoping to be able to get rid of them so that I won't have any comfy "fat clothes" to gain into. I was able to get into a pair of 16W pants last night (I can only remember ever fitting in one pair of 16W pants and that was the summer of 1984 and they were Gitano rainbow pinstriped jeans!). I also only remember ever fitting into one 14W outfit and that was 8th grade, I think, and it was a tweed skirt with elastic in the back, with a matching vest that laced in the back. I am hoping that by the end of October I will be solidly in 16s. I think when I get to 14s I will be an absolute emotional mess. I just have to keep telling myself "when" and not "if".

My lunch was very filling and yet as I sit here, I have had to restrain myself from going to the kitchen for some kind of snack from my stash in the fridge -- fat free pudding, string cheese, apple, plum, pear, yogurt, etc. etc. I also have WW snack cakes in my drawer. Lots of options and none of them too costly, but the fact is that I am not hungry, I am just stressed. There I am at my buddy Mike's journal urging him not to become a stress eater, and here I am trying to restrain myself from stress eating.

The training schedule starts Sunday (though Sunday is a "rest" day --very funny since there is nothing to rest from! ) and I am back to being alternately exhilarated and intimidated. Am starting the October exercise challenge tomorrow and that should help me to stay motivated to exercise, and not just train.

Am trying to urge Howard to sign up for the Disneyland 1/2 next October so that I will remain motivated to exercise and lose weight even after the WDW 1/2 in January. Fortunately, he seems okay with us making that commitment, though, of course by then we will have to see what work and school commitments are. And we will definitely have to start a savings plan to afford the trip. Depending on how I do in January, it might be a realistic goal to train to walk/run the October 1/2. That would be amazing!

Plan for this weekend includes cleaning out my closets, getting a long walk in tomorrow, watching "Three Wishes" tonight, chaperoning the band tomorrow night, and maybe hosting a friend of DS's Sunday evening. Really need to encourage DD to study for the SAT as well. It is next Saturday and I am sure she hasn't studied even 10 hours since the Kaplan course ended in July. I am completely frantic and stressed and have no idea how to motivate her. Having a hard time giving up the stress on this one. Even telling myself that it is HER future at stake doesn't help, because I feel responsible for making her understand the big implications of how she does. Not too much pressure, huh?

Back to preparing for a hearing. More later.

 

[keenercam]

I held out on eating anything else until now, and now I am eating a 100 cal (2pt) package of sandies, which are awesome!

 

[frogmommy]

Hi Cam-

I started reading your journal from the beginning, then skipped to about page 42 or so. What an amazing success you are!!!! I am truly inspired.

My DH is a HS band director. They are hosting a contest tomorrow in fact, so no telling when I will see him again. What you are doing for your kids is so important. If they don't tell you thank you, then I will. Thank you!!

What corps did you march with? I would have loved to do corps, but I play flute (and twirling large pointy objects is right out!).

 

[Rizel]

Hihi, so sorry for taking so long to post.
Congrats on the 5km! it'll be my turn on sunday ;_;
Next time your in the munchie mood remember my offer!!! Hopefully that will curb your cravings! *hugs*
Keep up the great work! I've been looking for 100 calorie snackpacks, and i cant' find any ;_;

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Cam,

Hey, if I can stay away from stress eating you can too!!! That's an order!!!
I can't wait to hear about you slipping into those 14s! Like you said, "When not if"!!! Hope that you can work out the details for the Disneyland trip, that would rock!

I hope that you had a stress free evening and have a great tomorrow!!! Keep up your great work!!!
Mike

 

[keenercam]

My DH is a HS band director. They are hosting a contest tomorrow in fact, so no telling when I will see him again. What you are doing for your kids is so important. If they don't tell you thank you, then I will. Thank you!!

What corps did you march with? I would have loved to do corps, but I play flute (and twirling large pointy objects is right out!).

Hi, Frogmommy! Thank you so much for stopping by. I give your DH a lot of credit. It takes a really special person to deal with all the different personalities one finds in a HS band -- the committed musicians, the "artists", and the drama queens in the guard, just to name a few. And thank you for your kind words on my participation. It's funny how I am already worrying about what they are going to do next year, since so many of the senior parents have been carrying the workload. I was hoping to recruit more victims . . .errrr, I mean, volunteers to be in place for next year, but so far, no one wants any responsibility.

I marched with the United Regiment in Camden County, NJ. It was the successor corps to 4 corps that merged, including the Belles of St. Mary. I played soprano bugle and helped with the flag and rifle line. I miss it and still really enjoy going to see shows. Jenn may audition to march with a local corps next summer, but we'll have to see what her commitments will be for whatever college/university she ends up going to.

Hey, Rizel! How did your 5K go yesterday? I hope you had gorgeous weather and a flat course! I thought of you yesterday when I read a very funny ad campaign for swedish fish that came in my fitness magazine with a coupon for that treat. It was written by the people of sweden asking US citizens to keep their consumption to 2 bags or 2 lbs or something a week -- it was very cute. I guess swedish fish are a good healthy snack. I'll stick with those, as opposed to your "jelly fish", thank-you-very-much! Oh, and BTW, if you'd like me to send you a few boxes of 100 calorie packs, PM me. I'd be glad to share my favorite snack!

Thank you, Mike, for stopping by. Hope you had a great weekend!

Ugh. Back to work. More later.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Cam!!!!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi!!!! You are doing a great job!!!!

Have a wonderful Monday

 

[Rizel]

;_; My 5k was a no go yesterday. I felt sick, so i stayed home in bed and watched korean vcd's. But i'll make up for it, this week i'm going to get in at least 5km in walking around either the block or my threadmill (yes i own one, i'd like to say that i dont' use it cause i'm afraid to depreciate it's value)

Aww ;_; i thought about you too, the other day when i went to dim sum, and the lady brought around some pigs ear (Yes they are the real pigs ear, sliced really thing and marinated similarily to the pickled jellyfish)
That's so sweet ;_; but it's okay! i found some ritz bitz snack packs which are 80cals per/pack. oO there are 7 cookies in each pack though....

Hope your doing great!! and have a great great day

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Jamie! Thanks for stopping by. You are such a sweetie! :

Rizel -- So sorry you didn't feel well yesterday. I hope you have an opportunity to get out this week, especially if the weather where you are is anything like here (I am sure it is already much colder). I keep thinking about how hard it is going to be to motivate on cold, dark, icky-weather mornings!

 

[keenercam]

It was such an interesting weekend. Although I won’t recount all my food here, I am glad I journaled it for WW, because otherwise, it might have been ugly. As it is, I only went over points by a few on Friday and Saturday and used flex points for those treats.

Friday night was wonderfully productive – I cooked some salsa chicken to use up chicken in the fridge and enjoyed my Lean Cuisine spinach & mushroom deep dish pizza. Then I moved upstairs (away from the food) and got all the 24s, 22s, and 20s out of my closet and sorted for ebay and donation. I also pulled out all the summer stuff that still fits, though if I were truly optimistic, I would have gotten rid of all of those 18s too with the expectation that they won’t fit next summer. But alas, I did put them away in case they will fit or can be altered come May.

Saturday a.m. I got up and did 3 miles including a stop at Dunkin Donuts for an iced hazelnut coffee. YUM! And then a stop at ACME for their special on WW meals 10 for $10. I carried home two full bags of those from the grocery store, so I think between the walk and carrying the weight, I got a good workout in. Oh, and I was thrilled that I was wearing a cute workout outfit of tank, jacket & windpants all in size XL!!!! Wayyyy cool!

A really sweet woman stopped her car when she saw me walking with the groceries in both hands, and offered a ride. How wonderful! I thanked her profusely but told her I was enjoying the gorgeous morning and she said "Good for you! More power to you!" It made me feel good to be doing something healthy and out in the gorgeous bright sunshine at a time when I might otherwise have been sleeping in.

Then spent almost 2 hours on the phone with my favorite aunt and we talked about EVERYTHING including my parents and how we are both coping with their loss (she is my mother’s sister and my Dad was a father figure/big brother to her because he was 20 years older than her). It was such a nice visit.

Took DD out to lunch at the Chinese buffet and I made all good but delicious choices, including some california rolls and some steamed shrimp. YUMMY! Then shopping for secret sister gifts and some errands while the band rehearsed before their first competition.

Saturday night’s band competition was exhilarating. They had the highest score of all 12 bands there and won all specialty awards for their division, including BEST COLORGUARD. Jenn was ecstatic and the look of stunned pride on the band director’s face was worth everything! We arrived home around midnight very happy but exhausted.

Spent yesterday taking advantage of my "fall energy spurt" that always seems to arrive about now. I listed about 40 books on amazon for sale (3 sold by last night). Then I cleaned out some cupboards and cooked everything in the fridge: hardboiled eggs; cleaned 2 pounds of green beans and made an oriental green bean recipe (used splenda in place of the sugar, so it was nearly "point free"); cleaned and steamed 6 heads of broccoli; cleaned and cooked 2 huge onions and 2 pounds of mushrooms; cleaned and steamed a pound of carrots; cut up 2 pineapples. Then took a nap for a little while and then cooked a nice dinner for my family.

It was an awesome, productive weekend except for my caffeine withdrawal headache. Yesterday was my first day of no caffeine since my heart surgery. Thanks to my buddy Mike who showed me what discipline and willpower are all about, I am back to decaf coffee. I have another headache today, but I know the end is in sight.

I woke up late this morning, but did my first "Walk the Half" training session, with stretching and then a 30 minute walk. I am going to try to get out earlier so that there will be less traffic and less people. Tomorrow is a cross-training day – I think I will do a WATP tape.

Food for today:
B: light EM w/1 sl turkey; light EM w/1 sl ff ch (3)
S: pineapple (1)
L: oriental string beans (.5); broccoli (0); salsa chicken (2)

 

[Mykelogan]

Hey Cam!!!

Wow, what a great weekend you had!!!So proud of you going caffeinie free, I know you can do it, and trust me, you will feel 100 times better eventually!! I know now my energy is from me and the good fuel in my body, not the caffeiene/sugar rush! So proud of ya!!! Congrats to the band and colorguard too!!!

Keep up the great work!
Mike

 

[frogmommy]

Look at you being all productive and energetic!! I need some of that to rub off on me!

Congrats to your DD on the band's success. That is so exciting. DH's band was in exhibition Sat night, but the judges scored them anyway. They beat the top placed band by a point and a half. Their 1st real contest is this coming weekend. This is a fun time of year, but I'll be glad when it's over!

 

[toystoryduo]

Cam,

I had a great big on my face from reading your post from this past weekend. It sounds like you had an amazing, wonderful, and refreshing weekend. Good for you!

I'm sorry to hear about the headaches, but it is for a very good cause. I know that when I did South Beach a few months ago, I had the sugar withdrawl headaches and they were tough! Hang in there, Cam! Before you know it, you'll be caffine free just like Mike!

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Cam!!! Happy Tuesday!!!

Wow you had a great weekend! Good for you.

Hope you have a great day!

 

[keenercam]

So proud of you going caffeinie free, I know you can do it, and trust me, you will feel 100 times better eventually!! I know now my energy is from me and the good fuel in my body, not the caffeiene/sugar rush!

Thanks, Mike. Now, I am just waiting for my body to figure out that it has to provide energy rather than me ordering in! UGH! I am definitely dragging, though the headache is much better by mid morning today. Woke up with a headache, took some motrin before working out, and am doing okay now. Maybe the caffeine withdrawal is past? Not sure how long it takes. Today, I will avoid the mid-afternoon diet coke!

DH's band was in exhibition Sat night, but the judges scored them anyway. They beat the top placed band by a point and a half. Their 1st real contest is this coming weekend. This is a fun time of year, but I'll be glad when it's over!

I totally agree, frogmommy! I THRIVE on the excitement and you can just feel the waves of pride coming off these high school students who are working their butts off doing something that a lot of their peers don't think is cool, and they are doing it so well. This time of the year is so crazy for our family, but I just can't even imagine what next fall is going to be like when DD is not in the HS band. Congratulations to your DH's band for getting such a positive "read" from the judges! Our big test is this weekend -- last weekend was USSBA while this weekend is TOB circuit, which is a bit stricter. Am hoping the kids do as well before this week's panel of judges.

Cam,

I had a great big on my face from reading your post from this past weekend. It sounds like you had an amazing, wonderful, and refreshing weekend. Good for you!

I'm sorry to hear about the headaches, but it is for a very good cause. I know that when I did South Beach a few months ago, I had the sugar withdrawl headaches and they were tough! Hang in there, Cam! Before you know it, you'll be caffine free just like Mike!

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

Thank you so much, Tracy! I keep telling myself it is for a good cause and others who have done it and survived have definitely inspired me. Thank you as always for your warm, kind support. You always make me feel so special. I truly treasure the positive "vibes" you bring to my journal. Thank you for being such a great, encouraging friend! :

Thank you, Jamie! It should be a pretty good day. My office is closed for the Jewish Holiday, and it is very quiet here. One of my partners and his secretary are in but the phones aren't ringing off the hook and I have gotten in some great DIS time Soon, I'll actually do some real work!

So, to finish out yesterday. Food last night wasn't too great. I had the munchies and a large dinner didn't curb my appetite.
D: 2 lite EMs (2) w/turkey sausage links (2), mushrooms & onions (0); LC deep dish spinach and mushroom pizza (BTW, this pizza is absolutely the best I've ever tasted -- 6 pts is a small price to pay for it!)
S: low carb chocolates (3); cookies from skinny cow ice cream sandwich (ice cream part was freezer burned but I love the cookies!) (2); few sourdough pretzel nuggets (1)

At least I didnt eat any of the ice cream that I sent DH to buy for the kids. We had all sorts of delicious toppings for it, too, including my favorites (sprinkles & chopped nuts). I was smart to stay out of the kitchen while they were preparing and eating that!

This morning, I slept in since the office is closed. I finally got up around 7:45 (!!!) and did 30 minutes of non-wogging exercise. Then had breakfast and a bottle of water before heading in to work.
B: 2 low fat tortillas w/3 slices LF turkey (5)
S: decaf coffee w/creamer (1); shortbread sandies 100 calorie pack (2)
L: WW szechuan chicken over free salad (4)

Tonight will be a busy one (working on the last set of flags) but am glad the exercise is done. Maybe I'll take my dear furbaby Cali for a walk and just try to spend some time with her. I was devastated to read fellow DISer transparent's account of her dog Sophie's unexpected death and have been so much more desirous of showing my sweet Cali how much I appreciate her.

 

[DisDon]

Hey Cam, here's a funny, after being off the caffeine all summer, I went on a bit of a binge the last week or so, and lo and behold, now the CAFFEINE gives me the headaches!! No more for me again, you and I can be anti-caffeine buddies now! Yahoo!

 

[goldcupmom]

Sounds like you had a great weekend, Cam!

Congrats on ditching the caffeine! I went cold turkey in 1996 and except for chocolate and decaf haven't had any since. And I was BAD!!! About 2 pots of reg coffee a day, plus sodas! You can do it and you will feel MUCH better!
I really have to check OTC meds as many contain caffeine. Remember that caffeine is a drug ... in certain areas of Canada you have to have a RX for caffeine, but Codeine is OTC. That's why they make caffeine free diet Mountain dew - my FAV, but not available in NM. When I go to CO, I always stock up!

Have a great week!!

 

[keenercam]

Hey Cam, here's a funny, after being off the caffeine all summer, I went on a bit of a binge the last week or so, and lo and behold, now the CAFFEINE gives me the headaches!! No more for me again, you and I can be anti-caffeine buddies now! Yahoo!

Thanks, Don! We can be partners in crime or non-crime!

Congrats on ditching the caffeine! I went cold turkey in 1996 and except for chocolate and decaf haven't had any since. And I was BAD!!! About 2 pots of reg coffee a day, plus sodas! You can do it and you will feel MUCH better!
I really have to check OTC meds as many contain caffeine.

Thanks for the encouragement, Julie! Geez, here I thought you powered all your amazing productivity with CAFFEINE! How do you do it, girl?

Actually, the funny thing is that from the time of my diagnosis in February '95 until my cure in January of this year, I could not have any caffeine, chocolate or alcohol, and all I missed was the caffeine. Since January, I think I was making up for lost time, drinking at least 24 -40 oz coffee a day, plus diet soda or diet crystal light iced tea. Now I am voluntarily giving it up again! I have to tell you, though, the headache is gone now. I definitely had it from Sunday morning through this morning but then it was just gone!

 

[Strings]

Hey Cam,

Kudos for going caffiene free. I just can't do it.

Your weekend was extremely busy. I am exhusted just reading about it.

Keep up the amazing work,
Beth

 

[keenercam]

Hey guys! Can I tell you something really exciting?



Do you remember from my first post that one of my passions is working with Special Olympics?

Well, our family was chosen as Family of the Year by our state Special Olympics to be honored at their "Night of Heroes".

Isn't that so cool? Being honored for doing something we all four LOVE!

I am still stunned and teary over it!

Thanks for letting me share!