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

[DoeWDW]

I'm back at work and trying to break the old patterns of anxiety and stress. I've felt so much stress and anxiety at work for so long that now I feel it even when there's no reason for it. I'm consciously taking time to relax my mind, unhunch my shoulders, take a few deep calming breaths and hand over my anxieties to God. It will take some time to "unlearn" my stress reaction to being in my office but I'm up to the task.

The weekend went by all too quickly but there was plenty of time to relax. I took a nice half hour walk yesterday. For once, I just strolled. I didn't try to calculate miles or push for speed - I just strolled around the neighborhood and the college campus and enjoyed the sunshine and the singing birds and the lovely flowers.

Today it's back to my goals:
1. Devotions - I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
-Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)
2. Pills - on my desk and waiting to be taken.
3. Water - on the first of 3 20oz bottles.
4. Healthy eating - B = yogurt w/ almonds, L will be a sausage & cheese croissant (22g), D will be ???
5. Exercise - 30 minutes of strolling outside in the sunshine, soaking up the warmth
6. Scale - 152, the lowest I've seen in a LONG time!

I still haven't figured out my June goal totals. I'll work on that later.

Now I've got to catch up on email and voicemail and figure out what I need to do in the office today. I'll get to journals later.

I think it's going to be a good day!!


EDIT: 1:30 PM
2. Pills taken.
3. 1.5 of 3 bottles finished - still sippin'!
4. Eating has been on plan so far.

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Doe,

I am sending some prayers and your way today. I hope you have a wonderful day at work, filled with God's peace and strength. Take care!

 

[septbride2002]

Girl I know what you mean about anxiety with work. I think that is why I tried to drown mine in glasses of wine yesterday. I to have to take mini breaks from myself and try to put things in perspective. As you know I also have to do this in terms of my weight. Sometimes our mind makes things bigger then they are (including our butts ) You know I am always here for a little PM-ing to get ya through the day!

~Amanda

 

[LAinSEA]

Doe:

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful, relaxing time at the beach. When you start to feel that pull to be in too many places at once, take a full 30 seconds to remember how the sand feels between your toes, or how the breeze smelled, or the sound of the waves. After that moment, take on just one thing...not all of them.

Glad your back safe!

-Laurie

 

[Strings]

Welcome back Doe,

You've been missed. I hope the first day back wasn't too traaumatic. Take it one step at a time. Short breaks to gather your thoughts and center yourself sounds like a splendid idea.
Take care,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

I did pretty well yesterday. I earned smilies for devotions, pills and the scale. I barely missed the water smilie. I ate on plan but did have a pretty carby drink last evening (orange juice, cranberry juice & vodka). All in all, it was a decent day, except for the exercise that I missed. Today I will not miss my exercise!!

I woke up this morning with the familiar knot in my stomach and the usual anxiety symptoms started up again. At this point, my work tasks and projects are not stressful. However, I think that I was stressed and anxious for so many months (years!) at work, that now I respond in that way even when I have nothing to be anxious about. My body and mind have associated the anxiety with the workplace and I will have to take time to unlearn that association. I've been doing research this morning on unlearning that anxiety / stress response. Much of it involves strategies we talk about all the time on WISH, like breathing deeply and consciously relaxing our muscles, making exercise and healthy eating a priority, etc. While I still have some of those anxiety symptoms, I'm hopeful that they will lessen over time as I recognize them and work to unlearn them.

For my devotions over the coming weeks, I'll be focusing on 40 thought conditioning Bible verses that were identified by Norman Vincent Peale. Each day I will repeat one of these positive verses to myself over and over throughout the day. His idea is that if you fill your mind with positive thoughts, they will sink into your subconscious and you will feel more positive and hopeful. This is just one way that I'll start to unlearn my anxiety. When I'm feeling anxious, I will take a few minutes, breath deeply and repeat the verse in my mind.

So the plan for today is:
1. Devotions - The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. - Luke 18:27
2. Pills - taken.
3. Water - started.
4. Healthy eating - B = yogurt w/ walnuts, L will be a ham, bacon, cheese, egg croissant, D will be ????
5. Exercise - at least one lap around my building during the workday.
6. Scale - 152 and holding!

Onward into my day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Doe,

I hope today is a wonderful day for you!! Just remember... baby steps and deep breathing...maybe throw in some Disney dreaming too.

I read a book by Norman Vincent Peale last year and it was really good! If you get a chance, you should check out Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. The journal is amazing!

Take good care of you, Doe!

 

[septbride2002]

I ate on plan but did have a pretty carby drink last evening (orange juice, cranberry juice & vodka).

Not my Doe! LOL! Perhaps taking 10 minutes in the morning for some quite meditation/praying may help relieve some of that stress. I know it might be hard to fit it in during the morning though since you are a busy mommy!

I'm sending you today to chase of the anxiety monster!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen. Isn't it weird how our body reacts? I admire how you're seeking strategies for relieving your anxiety--you're so proactive.

152 and holding? Good for you! Do you have an official weigh-in day or are you taking each day as it comes?

Have some tea this afternoon and think some happy .

on your day--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

for all my WISH friends! Thanks so much for stopping by, for your suggestions and for your words of encouragement! I can hear Stevie Wonder singing -
You are the sunshine of my life, that's why you'll always be around
You are the apple of my eye, forever you'll stay in my heart

Yesterday I earned smilies for devotions, pills, water, healthy eating (dinner was 2 hot dogs, cheese, 1/2 C baked beans), exercise AND the scale - a 6 day!!!!! It felt so good - I think I'll do it again today!
1. Devotions - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27
2. Pills - taken
3. Water - 60 oz on tap for today
4. Healthy eating - This is one area I'm not sure about. B was peach yogurt w/ walnuts - very yummy! I have my physical this afternoon and if I'm not terribly hungry I'll just fast until then so they can do the fasting bloodwork. If I am too hungry to make it, I'll eat a low carb lunch and then go back another day to get the bloodwork done. I'll make a store trip for dinner food.
5. Exercise - It's going to be a rainy day here so if I do anything it will have to be indoors at home.
6. Scale.......no bashing here.......151......down another pound!!

I feel better this morning. The anxiety is at a manageable level. I'm feeling very positive - more like the "undepressed, unstressed" me. What a gift for me! I think its a combination of the week at the beach, the lightened load at work and the stronger dose of my antidepressant. I finally feel like I can focus on my healthy habits in a positive way, not as an extra burden or more things on my long to-do list. What a wonderful feeling!

Today I'm at work until lunchtime, then I'm off to the doc for my physical. This evening will bring a trip to the chiropractor and a stop by the grocery store and my mood disorder support group at church. It will be a busy but productive day.

Onward I go!

 

[septbride2002]

Your sound so sunny this morning

You're walking on sunshine! Whooaaaa
You're Walking on sunshine!



Have a great day girl! You are almost out of the 150's - if that isn't motivation I don't know what is!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Yesterday's smilies were for devotions, pills, water, exercise and the scale. I ate pretty healthy all day but honestly, I had too much spaghetti last night to call it a healthy meal.

My physical went well but I have lots of followup testing. Guess at 41 I'm hitting "that age" where they like to do extra poking and prodding. Doc says there's nothing to worry about - just baseline testing. They also did a quick EKG yesterday due to the chest pains I've been having. I think it's stress related but the doc wants to be sure. He said the EKG looked good but he's sending me for a stress EKG just to be certain.

I fell asleep and missed my chiropractor appointment and my mood disorder support group. Guess I needed the rest.

Today I've weathered the rain on the way into work - remnants of tropical storm Cindy. I've got an afternoon meeting and my to-do list is up-to-date and manageable. I should be feeling good but my anxiety is nagging at me again. I'll work on my relaxation techniques and all will be fine. I think some quiet music via my headphones will help drown out the office noise and help me feel more peaceful.

The Plan:
1. Devotions - Renew a right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
2. Pills - on the desk, ready to be taken
3. Water - started on 60oz.
4. Healthy eating - B = raspberry yogurt w/ walnuts, L = sausage cheese egg croissant, D??? yet another evening meal up in the air. I really must do some menu planning over the weekend.
5. Exercise - walking is not an option today - didn't bring my swim fins to work I'll have to do something at home later.
6. Scale - 151 and steady. I FEEL thinner, the pants are looser. YAY!

I've found some quiet music on Live365.com and I'm ready to start my day!

 

[lulu201]

Still using your umbrella, 'eh? Us, too. We'll weather it, though, won't we? We've got our to be our !

You sound like you've got a good handle on the day, Doreen. Did you remember IT'S FRIDAY!!!

Let the party begin!

Thanks for your friendship and support. I appreciate it more than I can say.

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

I wish I could listen to music at work. Our network keeps us from being able to get to live 365 and I wear a headphone for talking on the phones to keep my hands free. And of course we can't pick up radio stations in here with the frequencies that we have

2 more lbs till you are out of the 150's!!!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Just dropping by this morning to send some and for your day! Drink your water today, Doreen!

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Yesterday's smilies were for devotions, pills, water and the scale. Food was great until dinnertime - the entire family wanted pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks. I just couldn't stick to reasonable portions when I was so hungry and so tired. If I only do that once every week or two, I will be able to enjoy it.

Early this morning we sent my daughter off with her friends and one mom to Boston for the week. DH and I went for a long drive. Soon DH, DS and I will go see Bewitched at the movies. Then DS is off to see his girlfriend and DH & I have a free evening.

The plan:
1. Devotions - not yet
2. Pills - taken
3. Water - 20oz down, 40oz to go.
4. Healthy eating - B = blueberry yogurt w/ almonds (25-30g), L = nachos & salsa (25-30g), D is still up in the air.
5. Exercise - I'll get a walk in this evening when it cools down outside.
6. Scale - 153, reflecting my over-indulgence at dinner last evening. Pushing water today should help.

I feel good today!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hope you have a nice evening at home with your DH!
just wanted to stop in and say hi and have a great weekend!!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen! How are you doing today? Let's see, you and Todd had an evening alone together. . .ahh, how nice that must've been. I hope that today finds you in a sunny place. to you, dear WISH-sis!

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I'm claiming all my smilies except exercise.

Today I helped at Sunday School. Then DH & I made a practice run for a drive I have to take tomorrow. You see, I do not drive on unfamiliar roads. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and have never been to this office. We drove it today and it looks like a very easy drive for me in the morning - YAY! No more anxiety worrying about the drive! This afternoon we will do some decluttering around the house and will watch some of the NASCAR race. DH's brother & his gf may stop by for a visit. DS is working and will be home later in the evening.

It will be a full and busy day, but one that I can take at a leisurely pace. I'm off tomorrow for my appointment - I took the whole day off!

I've taken my pills and started my water and have eaten on plan. The scale still says 153 but a little exercise and drinking my water should help.

Forward I go!

 

[septbride2002]

Morning Doe! Be sure to let us kow how your Dr.'s appt went. I'm sending your way! Sounds like you had a great weekend! That is awesome! Keep up the hard work!

How is your training going for the half marathon? I've been slacking I want to get in a 4 to 6 mile walk this weekend.

~Amanda