Doreen's New Way of Life (comments are welcome)

[lulu201]

You GO, girl! Can't wait to see you tomorrow! I can't believe that we're going to walk 6.2 miles! This will be quite an accomplishment for me! If I have questions, will you guide me through my AVA registration? I'm going to look through it tonight and make sure I'm ready to go for tomorrow.

See you around 10:45 or so. . .
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Don't worry about the AVA stuff - I checked everything out on my reconnaisance mission last weekend. It's really easy. Now I just have to remember to bring our books....(note to self)!!

Edit: 12:45 PM
B = cheesecake
L = salad w/ ham & cheese, yum!

I'm craving something sweet but after the past week I can understand that! I'll just have to work through it. If I do actually eat something sweet, it will be low-glycemic.

I'm fighting off my afternoon sleepy slump! It could be that I'm tired or it could be the new meds or a hundred other reasons. I'm gonna hang in there!!

 

[lulu201]

Oh, Doreen, I had such a fun day today at our WISH walk ! It was so great to meet you in person--and Todd, too, of course. I felt as if I'd known you for years. I'm glad Melanie came--she was so nice, too. And of course, there were our new friends Al and Ron. . .I have a feeling we'll be seeing them again sometime!

I came home, changed, and went out with Mike to a little Mexican place around the corner. I had a Birthday Margarita to celebrate my accomplishments today and the gift of beginning another year, but tomorrow I'm going to try to be cheat free. . .I've got to get in shape for our next walk!

Now I'm in my sweats and ready to crash. I know I'm going to sleep well tonight!

Thanks for all you did to make today such a good time--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, what a great time we had!!! I also feel like we've known each other for years. I'm so grateful that we got to meet and am humbled that you shared your birthday with us!!

The scale says 137 today, which is not surprising after the miserable way I've been eating lately. At least I get to keep my 5 lb loss clippie! I'm glad we walked yesterday cuz the scale said 138 yesterday morning and I would have had to give up my clippie if it were an official weigh-in day!

Meeting Erin and Melanie was inspiring! I will start today to be cheat free and earn back those lovely stars. I'm working on a set of cheat free clippies for myself (and anyone else) to use but they are not ready yet, so I guess I'll use the stars for now.

My new meds seem to be helping a lot and the joy of our wonderful WISH walk yesterday has lifted me up. I am confident and feeling more like my old self again.

I didn't take my measurements yet - will do that later today and post them. I'm looking at today as a new start to a healthier me!

 

[lulu201]

Yesterday was so great, wasn't it? You're such a lovely person, Doreen, and I'm so glad that we've been able to get to know each other. To have fun on such a beautiful day and then to have lost a pound to boot! Success for you, Doe-Doe!! I'm glad you're keeping that clippie!

So where did you and Todd end up eating lunch?

I'm glad you're feeling some success with your meds. Remember to take them every day, OK?

Laundry calls. . .will be in touch again soon.
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, YOU were our inspiration for our snack stop after the walk! DH has been craving Dunkin' Doughnuts and all that talk about Munchkins....well....the van practically drove itself there! Then we scurried home and ate leftover Subway subs. I figured I'd start my cheat free life today so I had to get the cravings and leftovers out of the way....right??

Now I'm back on track and have been cheat free so far today. The problem is that I don't have much low-carb stuff in the house so I have to go to the store, but I'm STARVING!! Always bad to go to the store hungry - you never know WHAT might jump in that shopping cart!

I'm off to find a cheat free snack, plan some menus and go food shopping.

 

[lulu201]

Hee-hee! I inspired Munchkin snacking! I love it!! Does this mean that I have to confess my after-the-WISHwalk snack attack? Ok. . .on my way back to the car (!) I took a wrong turn and ended up at that little ice cream parlor I told you about, Coffee and Cream. Well, it was my birthday, after all you know, so a single scoop of peanut butter ripple on a sugar cone--just to sustain me until I got back home, mind you--wasn't too bad, was it? I didn't have any cake or anything. . .REALLY!!

On to better choices: guess I have to start my cheat-free day today, just like you, since we're not having chicken wings. Waiting to tomorrow will only make matters worse--gotta put an end to my wandering-around-the-kitchen-eating-whatever-strikes-my-fancy. There's no time like the present, right?

It looks like it's going to rain soon. I'm going to put another load in the washer, grab Mickey and his leash, and head out for a quick walk.

We're going to make this our first cheat free day, Doreen.
WE CAN DO IT!

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, we did it! Our first cheat free day together!!

B - shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tsp peanut butter - 10 carbs
L - egg custard (2 servings) - 6 carbs
D - cheeseburger (no bun), small baked sweet potato w/ butter - 40 carbs
TOTAL = 56 carbs!

I'm under my goal of 60 carbs per day - YAY!

DS and I took the ferocious dachshund for a 45 minute walk, so I got some exercise in.

I'm feeling good. Now that I have one cheat free day under my belt, I think it will be easier tomorrow, because I don't want to lose that lovely star clippie. I'm also going to get up early enough to do my Denise Austin Pilates tape. I ordered Winsor Pilates - it should be here in a week or two. We'll see if you really can lose inches in your tummy, hips and thighs in just 20 minutes 3 times a week!

 

[lulu201]

YAY, DOREEN! WE DID IT!

We're going onward and downward, one little day at a time.

'Night, Doreen!
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Here I go on day 2 of my cheat free journey!

B = 2 servings egg custard - 6 carbs

I did my Denise Austin Pilates workout. It was tough to get started this morning but now I'm so proud of myself!!

It's gonna be a day in spite of the rain outside!!

I forgot to mention - my scale said 136 this morning - 1 pound down from yesterday!!

 

[lulu201]

One pound happy dance for you, Doreen!

This Denise Austin workout has the abs in it, right? You know I admire you for that! You're my Workout Role Model for today

I'm going to send you a PM about our next walk .

Have a good Monday, Doreen. I'm thinking about you.

Erin

Onward and downward, day by cheat free day. . .

 

[DoeWDW]

B = 2 servings egg custard - 6 carbs
S = trail mix - 23 carbs - 9 fiber = 14 carbs

Edit: 1:15 PM
L = small hamburger, packet of mayo, 3 large lettuce leaves = 1 carb

48 oz of water at 1 PM today.

Took my meds.

Even took a vitamin! (I was inspired & reminded by Erin's journal - THANKS!!)

I'm feeling good! All I have to do is get through an afternoon snack and a low-carb dinner and I'll have another cheat free day!!

Edit: 3:15 PM
S = sweet & salty mix - 30 carbs - 6 fiber = 24 carbs TOO MUCH!

Total carbs so far today = 45 carbs
15 carbs left for dinner - I'll be very careful!

 

[lulu201]

Hey, Doe-Doe, looks like you're doing great so far today! Did you take your meds like you are supposed to?

Got your PM; let's see how things go this weekend, and if they go as planned, count me in for 11/8. And as far as the Mall Walk goes. . .we'd better not wait until I get close to goal--I've still got 29 pounds to go!!! It could be years before we do that walk!

Wow! It's raining quite hard right now. Maybe it's getting it out of its system so Todd can work on the roof on Sat.

'Til later,
Erin

 

[lulu201]

Oh, no, I'm filled with suspense? Doreen, did you make it? Did you eat 15 carbs or under for dinner?

If you did: then YAY for you! I knew you could do it! Watch out for those trail/snack mixes, though. They sound like they might almost be poisonous.

If you didn't: then {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} for you. Don't worry about it. . .tomorrow's a new day. Besides, it's not your fault. You have to blame the poisonous trail mix.

OK, now that I have the bases covered I can go to bed. See you on Tuesday!

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, I did it!! I had one piece of fish - 15 carbs - for dinner!! Notice my lovely cheat free star with the big 2 in the middle??!!! I noticed yours - we are on a ROLL!!!

I'm headed to the store tonight to get healthy snacks that are not as poisonous as trail mix !! Erin, you are right, trail mix is too carby but I was desparate yesterday and had to resort to the vending machine. The trail mix was MUCH better than anything else in there!

I had a meeting at church last night and I was proud of myself for saying NO whenever anyone tried to push more work my way. I love to help at church, but I've served on the church board for 2 years and I'm feeling like I need to focus less energy there and more on myself and my family for a while. I have to get healthy and taking on more work and stress will not help my depression or my weight. Besides, I still help during Sunday School every other month and I send out the church bulletin and prayer chain via email all the time.

The bloat fairy has FINALLY left!! The scale is back to my low weight again AND I found my tape measure, so today is an Official Weigh-in and Measure Day!! I skipped last week so here goes:
Weight = 134 same as 2 weeks ago / -8 from start
Bust = 38 -.5 from 2 weeks ago / -1.5 from start
Chest = 32.5 same / -1
Waist = 32 +.5 / -2
Hips = 38.5 -.5 / -1.5
Thighs = 40 +.5 / -1

I am getting smaller but I wish I were losing inches faster. Of course, if I keep going with my cheat free clippies, I'll have a much better chance for success. It seems like the next 2 weeks will be the right time during my cycle to lose weight and feel great. The 2 weeks after that will bring PMS & TOM and maybe I shouldn't expect to lose during those weeks.

I met all your goals except the coffee one yesterday, Erin. I like the idea of drinking green tea once or twice a day, especially with the cold weather coming up. I'll have to pick up some decaf green tea at the store tonight. I like Celestial Seasons Decaf Mint Green Tea with one packet of Splenda - YUM!

This morning I've taken my meds, had 6 carbs for breakfast (more egg custard) and have started drinking my water.

Okay - enough already - looks like I'm writing a novel instead of a journal entry!!

More later!!

 

[lulu201]

Doreen, here are a couple more bounces to celebrate your
EIGHT POUND WISH LOSS! Goodbye, Bloat Fairy!

Yes, I definitely feel the same way--the next two weeks are good ones, and then I enter the DANGER ZONE. Maybe we can come up with some good coping strategies for PMS and TOM. . .

Sounds like you are well on your way to having a GREAT day. The
is shining here. Hope you're seeing it, too. Enjoy! It's supposed to rain tonight!

Catch up with you later,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

B = 2 servings egg custard - 6 carbs
L = salad, cheese, tangy tomato dressing - 10 carbs

Water so far today = 64 oz and I'm still drinkin'!! Don't think I'll need to exercise - I'm wearing out the carpet at work walking back & forth to the ladies room and the water cooler!

Just took my vitamin.

I'm really feeling good and am getting a decent amount of work done today at the office. Maybe all this work misery is tied to my depression and when I'm feeling better, the work goes easier and doesn't seem too bad. I'll have to keep my eye on this!

Edit: 9 PM
S = crackers & cheese - 12 carbs
D = not really hungry but I ate an ounce of mixed nuts - 4 carbs

Total carbs today = 32
I feel good but I don't think I ate enough calories.

I stocked up on snacks at the store so I'll do better tomorrow.

Time to change my star clippie and head to bed.

 

[lulu201]

I'm on my way to bed, too, Doreen, but I had to stop by and see how you did. AND YOU HAD A FANTASTIC DAY! I'm happy for you!

I was glad to hear that you set some comfortable boundaries for yourself at the church meeting. If you're the kind of person who likes to help, it's hard to say no sometimes, but it's something we all have to learn how to do if we're going to respect our limits.

I'm ready to fall into bed!
Erin

PS Your water drinking has inspired me for tomorrow. I'm going to drink gallons!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen. I'm sending a sprinkling of pixie dust your way to make today an easy cheat free day! Try to eat enough today, OK? Oh, and don't forget your meds and your vitamin.

Looks like Todd will have a good weekend to work on the roof if those are still your plans. New Hope here we come?

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for the pixie dust and the reminders, Erin! They really do help....I just found my meds in my purse and have taken my pill. I also found my vitamins and put them out on the desk where I'll see them at lunchtime.

Did my Pilates tape this morning. Had string cheese and nuts for breakfast - 5 carbs. I feel really full!! I brought my new decaf green mint tea to work and will have it for my 10 AM break this morning.

This is all feeling easy at the moment - almost too easy. I'm hoping that it's a cycle thing - that these two weeks I'll feel really motivated and on the ball. Then when the tough times hit, if I know it's only going to be tough for 2 weeks, I can do my best to be prepared and push through it. If this pattern holds true, it will be a real breakthrough for me in understanding why I sometimes am so motivated and sometimes struggle so much. I will be able to stop beating myself up for these changes as if I have a character flaw and just accept them as my body's normal rhythm. That would be such a relief and a real boost to my self-esteem!!

I think I'll go back through my journal and see if I can identify this pattern in my past entries.

I really didn't mind coming to work in the rain - I had my Mickey umbrella to make me smile! It's the black one with the Mickey face and the ears that stand up! I'm just crazy enough to use it and not mind if other people find it odd!

More later!

Edit: 2:15 PM
Have had 36 oz water and 12 oz green tea - can we count the green tea as water??? I took my vitamin with lunch. I had to force myself to eat because I really wasn't hungry. Had a small salad for lunch with cheese, ham, olives, etc. and I figure it was under 20 carbs so I'll count it as 20 just to be sure.

Total carbs so far today = 25 - I'm doing good!!

I'm off to refill my Disney refillable mug with more water!!

Edit: 8:15 PM
My total water was 56 oz + 12 oz green tea = 68 oz - not bad!
D = ham, baked beans, SF jello, whipped cream - 18 carbs
Total carbs today = 43 - way under my limit!

I did pretty well today but I'm tired so I'm going to bed early - right after I update my cheat free clippie!