Doreen's Fresh Start & Success Story! (Welcome Friends!)

[DoeWDW]

Yesterday went well. I got a lot finished at work, so I'm in good shape for Monday. DD and her partner again won their match - that's 2 wins for the regular season! DS and the marching band did a wonderful pre-game show. There are 180 members in their band - a huge number for a school with only 1200 students. They fill the field and the sound was awesome! My parents and my niece came to watch both the tennis match and the marching band. Then my mom, my niece (she's 5 years old) and I went home to watch Mulan, while my dad & DH stayed to watch some of the football game. I was exhausted when they left at 9:30 PM, but we had a good time.

Today I'm still tired. DH and I remembered last night that we have a dinner to attend this evening for a non-profit agency we both work with, so we'll be out the door by 4 PM. My clothes are in the washer as I type this. I'll finish them and put them away, take a nap, then get ready and head out the door. At least I don't have to cook tonight. I'm expecting to have a nice and relaxing time.

Tomorrow I have Sunday School attendance duty and then I'll be back home to clean and think about food for the week. I can see the weekend flying by already - how does that happen???

Erin went out last week and bought herself a nice outfit in the size that fits her right now and I've been thinking a lot about that. I've been stuck in size 14s for what seems like forever. I keep saying I'll get back into my 12s and THEN go shopping, but the truth is that I need clothes for work right now. I may just check the budget for a little extra money and invest in a pair of pants or 2 that fit me now. Why shouldn't I like what I'm wearing every day?? They don't have to be expensive, but they should be flattering and if I can find them on sale, that would be a huge bonus!

I've been at 155 since at least last December. I am NOT comfortable at this weight. I'm just not sure I'm up for a major exercise and watch every bite of food kind of program. I don't have that kind of energy. I'm going to read some of the books that Erin sent me and try to absorb some knowledge that will help me maintain where I am. While tennis and marching band seasons are here, I need to be realistic about how much energy I can truly put into diet and exercise. Maintaining my weight, although it's a weight I'm not happy with, is realistic right now.

My foot is still giving me trouble, although it's down to 1 or 2 days a week at the moment. I never know when I'm going to stand on it and feel a twinge of pain in my arch. I'm going to try to continue to be patient with it until mid-November, when the kids' schedules clear out. Then I'll seriously look at developing an exercise program that takes my weak arch into account. Weight training is sounding good, along with the recumbent bike at the gym and my Pilates at home, but I'm not making any commitments until mid-November.

OK, I've rambled on enough. It's time to move into my day.

 

[Rizel]

Hi there!

I'm sorry to hear about your foot, hm, maybe some orthopedic shoes would help? I'll keep my eye out for any exercises that can help with the weak arch though!

You sound like your having a very busy weekend. Which is good in a way, cause you'll be so busy to even think about food! That or what i do which is munch. But you can do it!

As for clothes, what's helping with me is, i have some stretch pants, that i bought 1 size smaller, they look like jeans, so after i lose the weight i can wear them like normal jeans xD They have a vertical design on them too, so they don't look wierd even when they are stretched. ;_; sides that i stay away from shopping. I'll get over my fear one day.

Have a great weekend!!

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for the ideas, Rizel!

Another wrench has been thrown into my day. Remember how I said my clothes for tonight were in the washer?? Well, the washer died mid-cycle. I've spent the last hour rinsing everything out by hand in the sink and now the dripping wet clothes are in the dryer. Thank goodness the dryer still works!!

 

[septbride2002]

Doe I hear what you mean about taking the energy to focus. I think that is my biggest dilema - it takes energy to focus on eating healthy, and I just don't have it.

I found these GREAT little snack packs at the grocery store today. Each package is 100 calories! There are some chocolate chip cookies, cheese crackers, peanut butter crisp, and so on. I bought some and plan on taking one with me each day to work.

I think you should buy some pants that fit you right now. The biggest reason will be because it will help you feel good about yourself. And when you feel good, it is easier to stay motivated! I know for the last year I've been saying, I'll try again, I'll try again, I'll try again only to maintain my weightloss. But imagine how big we would be if we weren't even trying

Know I'm with ya wish-sis!
Tinkerbell is still flying high at our house!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen. I'm glad you're thinking about going shopping. It's the best thing that I've done for myself this month! Yesterday I went back to Kohl's (with another coupon in hand, of course) and bought another pair of pants, a sweater, and a jacket--all in shades of plum, a color that hasn't been in my closet for years. I got earrings and a necklace to go with them--all on sale, and all money well spent. I'm taking small clothes out of my closet and will donate them to either hurricane relief efforts or to our church's mission work in Kentucky. Wearing these new clothes makes me feel so much better about myself, even though I'm far now from my quest to be a size 10. DO THIS FOR YOU!

It does take energy to diet and I don't think you should be in a strict and hard core weight loss program (I did hear you ask for my 2 cents, didn't I? ). My book on fatigue stressed how hard it is on your body. What shouldn't happen, though, is that in the rush of everyone else's schedule and/or our demands at work, we toss our health needs to the side of the road because they just require too much energy. Don't 'cha think that when we hear ourselves say that we have to take notice? Something's out of balance when we feel like that! I think it's really important to carve a niche out for yourself RIGHT NOW, even in the midst of band and tennis. Maybe just an hour a week that is yours to go to the gym while everyone fends for themselves! Or like this weekend, setting side time for yourself to rest and restore. I know I sound like a mom, but hey, I yam what I yam.

Our sermon in church this morning was on honoring the Sabbath--creating time for yourself for rest, nurturing, and refreshment. As I sort the laundry this afternoon, I'm going to think more about that! Seriously, Doreen, do something today that brings you joy. You so deserve it.

Love to you,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for stopping by, Amanda and Erin. I am blessed by having both of you in my life as dear friends.

I've let the checkbook go for ages without balancing. I'm going to work on it during lunch hour today. As soon as it is balanced, my reward will be a shopping trip for new pants (or maybe a whole new outfit a la Erin!). I really will feel better in clothes that flatter me in the size I am right now. Sure wish I had a WISH friend that lived close enough to go with me though, because I'm terrible at figuring out what looks good on me.

I'm feeling pretty upbeat this morning, in spite of locking my purse (with my keys and my security badge for work) in my car. I'll have my son meet me this evening and unlock it for me - not a big deal.

I went grocery shopping last evening so I have decent food with me. At least I didn't leave my lunch bag in the car!

This evening I'm going to make some s/f chocolate mousse and indulge a bit.

I think it will be a good day!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen. Here's some , some , and a big for your day. Take this Monday in stride!

Erin

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Doe!

Thank you for your post in my journal this morning. I hope you know how much I appreciate you!

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

 

[septbride2002]

Hello my short little friend! The best look for someone of your height is to go with flat front (non-pleated) pants. You will want them to be wide leged or at least straight legged. Do not buy anything that tapers at the ankles.
Buy items with stretch in them. What stores will you be going to?

These are great casual pants:
Kohls

These are wondeful with the line going down the center to help you look longer.
Kohls

These are all the classic fit pants offered at Target:
Target

~Amanda

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i have a hard time finding pants, and i have the best luck at kohls....good luck!!!!!

have a great week!

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for stopping in Erin, Tracy, Amanda and Jen! Your words of encouragement really do help!

Yesterday was pretty good, although I didn't accomplish very much.

I've been experimenting with my food. I'm not usually hungry early in the morning, so I've been starting with a banana at 7:30 AM. Around 8:30 - 9 AM I'll have yogurt with nuts mixed in. At 12 noon I'm eating a grapefruit, and then lunch at 12:45. I've been really missing fruit lately and I'm enjoying it! The scale has moved down a pound to 154 for the past few days so maybe this is a good way for me to eat. I FEEL thinner.

Food during the evening hours is always more of a problem. I had a muffin when I got home from work and then 2 slices of pizza for dinner, along with a mixed drink. At least I didn't pig out. I kept portion sizes reasonable and I stopped at one drink.

I didn't touch the checkbook yesterday, but today I will. I have to get past the fear of the unknown and just dig in for 5 minutes. Then I'll feel better and the task will get easier. I've put the kids on alert for a possible trip to the mall tonight, so I've got some incentive. Maybe I'll find those pants I want. Jen, I also have good luck at Kohl's so I'll start there.

I've got my headphones on with the sound of gentle waves lapping against the shore. For anyone else who feels the need, here's the link:
http://www.relaxation.com/relaxingplaces/thailandwaterysunsetsI.htm

I'm off and into the workday. Wish me luck for my mall trip later - I generally dread clothes shopping.

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, dear WISH-sis! So you're going to head to Kohl's tonight? My suggestion--buy an outfit if you can, then you'll feel good and new from head to toe! Oh, and maybe a sparkling new necklace? I let Liz help me make choices; maybe Steph could be your "fashion stylist," too? It could be a mom/daughter thing!

How's your foot today?

and love to you, honey--
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

I think it is a great idea to have Steph help you out! She sounds like the perfect shopping-mate! The good news is that with fall all the deaper colors are coming back into style and that will look great with your skin tone. The plums, burgandys, and greens are wonderful colors! Don't be afraid of them! My favorite outfit which I'm wearing today is gray slacks (flat in the front) with a plum blouse. I know it doesn't sound like it would match - but it looks great!

If eating smaller meals through out the day works for you then do it! Perhaps that is why we turn to the EVM at 3pm - because we are hungry and we can't wait till dinner. I say if you are down a pound it sounds like it is working and to keep it up!

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Doe,

So was the shopping trip productive. If you didn't make it, Kohl's is having a sale tomorrow. A mom/daughter trip sounds like fun. The smaller meals throughout the day works for alot of people. Give it a try.

Take care,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

The shopping trip went very well! I now have 2 new outfits. I bought flat front Dockers black twill pants, a long sleeve light pink t-shirt and a matching pink sweater with sparkly buttons. I also bought Dockers dark brown cords and a striped sweater with shades of dark brown, light brown, orange and coral. I really like both outfits.

DD helped with the shopping and we had a good time. Of course, she got white cords, a white tank top, a plum colored v collared shirt and a celery colored v collared shirt. Kohl's was good to us!

I'm taking today off work. The repairman is coming to fix the broken clothes washer. I'm going with DS to get his senior pictures taken this afternoon. Then DD has her last home tennis match, with a pizza party for all the players and families to follow. It will be a busy day but a good day.

Food yesterday was pretty good, except that we ate at 9 PM after being out shopping. Eating that late is never a good idea for me - too tired + too hungry + take out subs & fries = portions that are too large. I should have taken an Atkins bar and a bottle of water with me on the shopping trip so I wouldn't be starving when I got home. That might be a good strategy for tonight's tennis party too, because there won't be any healthy food there.

OK, I'm off into my busy day.

 

[lulu201]

Ooh, your outfits sound great! Of course, being the pink-lover (don't 'cha think it's the happiest color there is?) that I am, I'm liking the sound of Outfit #1 the most, but truly, both sound like they'll be beautiful on you!
I'm glad that you and Steph had a good time. (Sounds like she made out pretty well, too! )

Sound like you've got a busy day ahead. . .it's nice that you're at home. . .and on a Wednesday, too. I'll bet that gives the middle of the week a bit of "weekend" feel, doesn't it? Is the washer guy coming early or do you have some time for yourself this a.m.?

I hope it's there like it is here. , , and for your day--

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Great job on the shopping! I bet you look like one hot mamma! You will have to post pictures of DS senior pictures - I can't wait to see!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Strollin' through the week!

I thoroughly enjoyed my day off! After everyone left the house I went back to bed and slept til 11:30 AM! The washer needs parts, so DD and I were doing a bit of laundry in the sink last evening. The senior pic shoot for DS went very well - what a handsome son I have!! I'll scan the good ones and post them. We pick them up on Oct. 10th. DD & her partner lost their tennis match in the tie-breaker phase so it was a close one and they were happy about it.

Today I'm back at work. I'm wearing the new black pants and pink sweater / tshirt combo in honor of Erin and her impending Disney trip. I'll miss my WISH-sis but am so happy that she and her wonderful family will be strolling around Disney for a few days, soaking up the pixie dust and magic!

I've got plenty of work to keep me busy. Then it's off to a meeting with DS tonight. He's volunteering to help "haunt" the Hershey Gardens on Halloween weekend and they are having a meeting tonight to explain what all is involved. DD will volunteer also but she has her last tennis match so I'll sign her up and bring info back for her.

I'm feeling rested and focused so bring on the day!

 

[septbride2002]

I am so jealous that you slept till 11:30 - not fair! I'm thinking a day off is in order for myself as well, but mostly so I can wrap a few loose ends where my life is concerned.

Just keep through the day. Make it a good one!

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Doe!

Hope you had a wonderful Thursday! TGIF Party in your journal tomorrow!