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

[lulu201]

Yay! You've made it past 8 a.m.! Only 13 more hours to go (if you go to bed at 9)! You know, Doreen, you've got to give yourself a pat on the back for even TRYING to lead a healthy life during the holidays. Even when it's not fun, you're plugging away at it. Congratulations!

I'm so grateful I have you to understand what this struggle is about and why it's so important to deal with it daily. We can do this, WISH-sis, baby step by baby step. And if one of us falls, the other will be there to help her WISH-sis stand and walk again.

Beware, Oh Munchie Monster! We have sisterhood, light, AND Trident!

Keep living the healthy life 'til noon. I'll stop by again then to see how you're doing.

E.

Edit:

Well, it's 12:10 and it seems like you're doing a great job! Keep it up, Doreen! I hope you get a chance to go out a lunch for a quick walk--it sure is a beautiful day!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Good morning Doreen! Wow, you had a great day yesterday. You were focused and stayed away from that nasty ole pizza. You should be so proud! It's difficult to stay on the straight and narrow during this time of year, especially if you have folks at work who bring in yummy treats. I hope you have some good low carb snacks in your desk at work; that'll help you stay away from that evil vending machine! Have a wonderful day Doreen.

 

[DoeWDW]

Actually, Lisa, lunch was from the vending machine today! I had 2 packs of Kars original trail mix - 14g carbs each. Total for today = 6g at breakfast and 28g at lunch = 34g carbs so far. Next up - a small piece of Trident gum!

36 oz of water down, and I'm getting ready to take my vitamin just as soon as I refill my water mug.

I'm feeling a bit tired and unfocused today - could it be 3 days of exercise in a row is getting to me, or the stress of the holiday coming up? It doesn't matter - I'm still making good choices so far. Step by step.....

Edit: 4 PM
The workday is finished. 60 oz water down! Vitamin taken. Total carbs so far = 35g (had to add 1g for the Trident).

I have no idea what's for dinner - again! I think DH and the kids are going out and about so I'll only have to feed me. There's gotta be SOMETHING low-carb at home I can eat. The puppy even eats low-carb! Maybe I should steal some of her dinner!!

Edit: 6:30 PM
The kids are here but DH is still out and about. I just looked for a quick snack - 3 tablespoons salsa and 1/2 serving tostitos - 11 carbs. Total so far = 46g carbs. Dinner? Who knows!

 

[LAinSEA]

Doreen: I finally made it through your journal! Your's is quite an inspiring story...you've lost weight, maintained that loss, got the exercise bug, battled depression (and you're winning) all while working full-time and taking care of your home and family! You deserve that castle in Orlando (only 19 years to go!). WOW!

Thanks for your kind words in my journal...it sure helps to stay movtivated when you know you are not alone in this struggle to be healthy.

I wish you and your family the best for the holidays and the new year beyond.

-Laurie

 

[DoeWDW]

Laurie, thanks for the kind words!

Well, it's 9 PM and I'm ready to head to bed. Dinner was not low-carb, but I'm okay with that. I'm tired, very tired. I'm also a bit depressed, if I can admit that to myself. I'm having a bit of a pity party for myself - you see, the kids and DH are now off until Jan. 5th. I, however, only have off on Christmas Day and New Years Day. Wish I had a few days to just relax....

OK, enough! I chose to take my vacation days earlier in the year. I also chose to save a few vacation days in case we get more snow and I CAN'T get to work. I know the kids and especially DH have worked very hard and need some time off to keep their sanity.

I will not let these feelings derail me totally. I will still try to make good choices. However, I'm also going to cut myself some slack. I had a Subway sub and a cookie for dinner. Was it the best choice - given how tired I was, I could have done lots worse. I also left the kitchen to avoid snacking on anything else - lots of junk to get me in trouble in that kitchen!!

Tomorrow morning, I'll get up and exercise - Pilates 20 minute workout. I'll also eat low carb for at least 2 of my 3 meals - sort of like the Carb Addict's eating plan. I'll drink my water, take my meds and vitamins and wear my pedometer. I'm not going to promise any more than that.

Speaking of the pedometer, it says I walked 8400+ steps today.

All things considered, I'm comfortable calling today a success. Was it perfect - no - but it was successful.

I'm going to bed with a clean conscience and a will to live healthy tomorrow. That's what's important.

 

[DoeWDW]

It's Christmas Eve! Wow, this year seems to have flown by!

The scale said 130 this morning - I like that number!

I've just finished my 20 minute Pilates workout, so I'm off to a good start today. Choice by choice, step by step, I'll do the best I can today.

Edit: 8:30 AM
B = protein bar - 2 carbs. Meds taken. 12 oz water down. Vitamins out for lunch.

I'm feeling pretty sunny this morning. There aren't many people in the office so it's quiet! I'm getting a lot finished already!!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, friend! Here's a Christmas Eve for you. I'm so proud of you, Doreen. You made "good enough" choices yesterday and you saw success on the scale. Hooray!

It's OK to be a little sad about not having Christmas vacation time to rest and recover with your family. Hopefully Friday will be another quiet day in work and then IT'S THE WEEKEND! Of course, you have your WISH friends to pop in and say "hi" and send !

DD is calling me--we've got to head over to the mall to look for a lost cell phone mad: ) that may have fallen out of her coat at a movie last Fri. I'm hoping that we'll be early enough to avoid lots of traffic. I also hope we'll find it; DD has been about this.

I'll describe my battles w/food later in my journal. I just wanted to pop by this morning and send you some holiday cheer.

Keep walking the walk, girlfriend,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

WOOHOO!!! An early Christmas present from our "esteemed" (and I use that term VERY loosely!) governor. We can leave 4 hours early today. That means I'll be leaving work at 11:10!!

I'll have to remember to take those vitamins when I eat lunch.....AT HOME!!! YIPPEE!!!

As you can tell, it doesn't take much to make me happy!


Edit: 1 PM
I'm home! Lunch was a grilled cheese on low-carb bread - 16g carbs, and 2 Dove promises - 7 carbs. That makes 25g carbs so far today. I also remembered to take my vitamin. I had to leave the kitchen, though, because I caught myself prowling the cabinets and eyeing up some pretty unhealthy stuff!!

Now it's off to the store for the last minute groceries for tomorrow's dinner. I cook but I take the food to my brother's house 20 minutes away. That way, I cook and he cleans - MUCH less stressful than doing both!!

Later DH and I will wrap all the gifts. Then it's off to church for Christmas Eve service.

I feel wonderfully calm and un-stressed for a change. I'm looking forward to Christmas Eve service at church with my family around me. I'm also looking forward to spending time with my extended family tomorrow.

 

[lulu201]

Just stopping by to say Merry Christmas, Doreen. I'm wishing you a beautiful evening tonight and a happy day tomorrow.

With a hug,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

We decided as a family to skip church and go see Christmas lights, primarily because....and I know this will sound like a lame excuse....none of us wanted to leave Maya home alone.

 

[DoeWDW]

I don't have much time - gotta get to work early! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both truly wonderful, filled with great times and great memories and great people! I enjoyed them so much this year - my new anti-depressant is helping and I really think my healthy living is helping! I feel so much sunnier inside than I did last Christmas - what a difference a year can make!

I totally indulged and that's OK. It was a planned break from my healthy eating. I also intentionally did not wear my pedometer.

This morning it's back to business as usual. I did 1 mile of WATP already with my pedometer on. Now it's off to work with DH as my chauffeur - no one else in my vanpool is working today.

More later!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, sunny Doe-Doe! I'm glad you had a great Christmas. Now, like you said, business as usual.

Did you take your vitamins and meds to work with you? Don't forget to take them. Drink lots of water, too, to combat yesterday's indulgences.

You have lots to celebrate today--big changes in the last year that have helped you to be a healthier, happier you!

Take care, girlfriend,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm at work a whole hour early!! We have flexible hours in my area so I sign in when I get here and then stay 8.5 hours. That means if I sign in at 6:40 (like I did today) I can leave at 3:10. It will be a nice change to leave that early in the afternoon.

Meds taken. Vitamins out for lunch. B=protein bar - 2 carbs. Water and hot tea on my desk - 28 oz of fluid that I'm working on drinking! Pedometer on.

I'm back in the routine and it feels good! The scale said 132 this morning - I'm sure the extra 2 pounds are water so I'm not changing my siggie. When I weigh in Sunday morning, I'll change my siggie to whatever it says. I also NEED to take measurements on Sunday morning. I haven't done that for a LONG time!

Here I go, back to my healthy living habits. They're starting to feel like old friends - it's a good feeling!

Edit: 9 AM
I'm so tired - am really dragging today. Perhaps it's a carb hangover??!!?? That's OK, I'm just going to ease back into the healthy life. I don't have to be perfect today - just better than yesterday.

28 oz liquids so far. Sweet & salty mix from the E.V.M. - 24 carbs. This was definitely the lesser of all the evils available and was not eaten in binge mode or craving mode. Total so far today - 26 carbs. Trips to the bathroom so far - well, I shouldn't have any problems getting 10,000 steps in today!

Edit: 10:20 AM
I'm still really dragging. I also am very busy and didn't bring food from home so I'm resorting to the E.V.M. for food. One pack of crackers - 20 carbs and one pack of peanut M&Ms - 28 carbs. Total so far = 74 carbs. Not real good but I'm too tired to fight it. I have resolved to be honest about recording EVERYTHING I eat today here in my journal, no matter how ugly it gets. I'll probably have lots more carbs today but then I'll eat less of them each day until I'm back to my usual 60 carb limit.

I'm more focused on my water intake and pedometer today, because I don't think I have the energy to do it all. Liquids so far today = 40 oz. Pedometer = 3300+ steps.

Edit: 1 PM
Only 2 more hours of work - if only I can stay awake.

I have resorted to a can of Coke - 39 carbs and another pack of sweet & salty mix - 24 carbs. Total so far = 137 carbs.

Edit: 3 PM
Erin, thanks for stopping by and dropping off those hugs! I needed them!

I'm ready to leave work - YAY! I'm still at 137 carbs and holding. I've taken my vitamin and I've had 52 oz of water & decaf green tea. I've also had 8 oz of Coke but can't count that!

 

[lulu201]

for you, Doreen. You're going to be OK. Today's a tough day, and I admire you so much for writing down your carb intake and drinking your water. Just ride the old fatigue wave--maybe you can take a nap when you get home? The holidays--while wonderful--can really zap us, particularly when we're used to a healthier way of living. Hey, that's kind of nice to know, isn't it? We're used to a healthier way of living!!

I don't know about you, but unless I have time to get out that good food in the a.m. and take it to work with me, I'm in a risky situation all day long! This weekend you'll have access to lower carb stuff (and no access to ye olde E. V. M.), so things are bound to be better.

Keep your chin up and know I'm thinking about you!

for the afternoon,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm finished eating for the day, I think . When I got home from work I had leftovers from yesterday - ham, scalloped potatoes, cranberry sauce, just a little of each.

After running around this evening I ate half of a Wendy's mandarin chicken salad. The rest is in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.

Not the best day for me, but tomorrow will be better. I'm home all day tomorrow so I'll be able to make healthy food and get to the store if I need to. It also looks like a nice day to walk the puppy, so I'll be getting some fresh air and adding steps to my pedometer.

 

[littleducksmom]

oh doe....tomorrow is another day.......come on girl...get back on the right track. i am so impressed with your honesty on what you ate today.........

it's gonna be 58 here tomorrow.....sounds like it will be nice there too for your w/e. get some walking in outside while you can.......your gonna feel great after that.

drink up on your water to get them bad foods out of your system faster.........you'll get that water wt off faster too. hang in there and get outside tomorrow.......maybe i'll do the same for a run in the morning.

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, dear friend! Here's some and a big to get you started on your brand new day. Take first things first: drink your water, take your meds/vitamins, prep. some good healthy food, and get some with Maya.
Baby steps, Doe-Doe, baby steps.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers as I'm on the road today. I'll check in tomorrow if I'm back; definitely on Monday.

Be good to yourself.

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, all! Thanks for the encouragement! I'm ready to ease back into my healthy living. My goal today is to do better than yesterday. I don't have to be perfect - just better.

Breakfast this morning was some leftover ham - delish!, my meds, and a big glass of ice water. So far, so good!

 

[littleducksmom]

progress not perfection.........that's the key. how did you do today? did you walk outside?

 

[ZerasPride]

I like that comment about progress and not perfection . . . something I'll keep in mind. Just wanted to check in on you and see how you are progressing. Take care Doe!