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

[DavidandDenise]

Good Morning, Moreen! I know you have the power to recover from any bad choices you've made--don't worry about it. It's nice to get back into a routine. I like the idea of your small goals each day; you don't need to get overwhelmed again--take it easy! Oh, I thought I'd suggest a good read to you. You may have read it already, but if not, the five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom, is a great book. And, it can be read in about 1 or 2 hours! I was pleasantly surprised by it. If you've ever read Tuesdays with Morrie, it's the same author. Anyway, just thought I'd make the suggestion--Have a great day!

 

[marsh0013]

good morning doreen! hope you have slid back into your work schedule and gotten right back into the normal swing of things. definitely seems easier when you are back on your normal schedule to stick to the good food habits that you are used to . glad you enjoyed your day of reading. who cares if nothing else got done! you got to enjoy a relaxing day of reading. sounds like a great accomplishment to me

hope you have a wonderful day today

 

[Strings]

I have to second Denise's recommendation. I just finished it. It was wondrful.

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for the recommendations for 5 People You Meet in Heaven - I'll add it to my list! I LOVE to read and am constantly looking for new books so if anyone else has any recommendations....please let me know.

2. I'm revising my goal to 60 oz which is 5 12 oz mugs of decaf liquids. I've finished 1 mug of decaf green tea and 1 mug of water so far. 3 mugs to go!

I'm trying to get my mind on work, but am having trouble concentrating. There are some difficult issues that need to be dealt with and I'm feeling sick to my stomach with the stress.
I'd prefer to just hide or leave work & never come back, but the bills must be paid so I'll have to find a way to get through this impasse. I'm looking for the win-win solution (thank you Steven Covey!) for all involved.

Edit: 1 PM
Still working on that 3rd mug of water.

I had some more honey roasted sunflower seeds and a grapefruit at lunch.

Edit: 2:45 PM
I gave into the EVM - TWICE! Had 2 packs of Peanut M&Ms. Why? Don't know. I do know that I'm feeling uncomfortable at work today - not competent, not focused, not up to the tasks that I need to do. I keep thinking of the elf in Rudolfph the Red-Nosed Reindeer who wanted to be a dentist instead of making toys "not happy in my work, I guess...."

So if I truly dislike my job and feel uncomfortable there, what does that have to do with sabotaging my weight with Peanut M&Ms????

 

[septbride2002]

Wow Doe - you and I could be twins today. I am feeling the same way about my job - just not happy with it and unmotivated to do anything. Maybe these feelings are what is causing you to go for the chocolate - looking for some comfort food, or something to make you smile even if for a moment. Don't stress to hard about it, and don't beat yourself up over it. to you my friend! Keep your chin up!

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Doe,

Please don't be so hard on yourself. You are stressed at work. You are also in the DZONE. Here's a and to get you though the day. One thing I do know, is that you are a very competent and capable woman.

Good Luck with the rest of your day. It is almost over.
Beth

 

[LAinSEA]

Doreen - stay away from the EVM! I mean it!

It is so hard once you start eating all those bad carbs to quit eating all those bad carbs. I really believe that sugar is an addiction. I'm always craving something sweet - especially after I eat. I'm now limiting myself to an oz of sugar-free jelly bellies when I get the sugar cravings. Sad thing is that I'd rather have them than a half-cup of low-carb ice cream. But popcorn still tops my list of wants and wishes.

DH and I loved DaVinci Code - we listened to it on our long drive to my family's cabin last October. It really gets you to thinking...

More sunshine coming your way - and stay away from the EVM!

-Laurie

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Doe!

I had to stop by and see how you are doing. {{{{{Hugs}}}} to you. It is no fun to dislike the job you have to go to everyday to pay the bills. I feel like you mentioned sometimes about where I work. If I am so unhappy then I need to either do something about it or maybe I don't really dislike it as much as I say I do. Sometimes it's hard to figure out. Anyway, I hope you find the solution that is right for you.

I am interested in your experiment with your relaxed but healthy eating plan. You definitely shouldn't feel added stress in your life as a result of your way of eating and I will be following your progress - I hope it works out for you.

Please remember in the midst of taking care of everyone else, to take care of yourself!

 

[sharoncity]

Hi Doe! I haven't been by in a while, so I wanted to check in. I too had some difficult issues at work recently.My suggestion would be to make sure you leave that stuff at work when you leave work. Don't bring it home with you; don't talk about it to DH or any one else. My rule is, when I am at home, I am Mom or wife. When I am at work, I leave those roles at home (as much as possible) and I am Sharon. I try very hard not to let the roles overlap. My family life/issues don't belong at the office, just as the office does not belong in my home!
Beyond that, you need to stay away from the EVM!!! Make sure you have NO change when you go to work, then you can't stop by! You are doing so great, don't let a bad situation at work ruin all of your personal gains (ie healthy living). Sounds like that place has taken enough out of you; don't give it the satisfaction of taking these accomplishments from you too!
So heres hoping for days to come your way. Lose yourself in another book and just relax tonight.
TTFN-
Sharon

 

[DoeWDW]

Sharon, your comment about work already taking enough out of me without taking away my weight loss & healthy living accomplishments is profound! I'll remember this in the days to come as I try not to let the work stuff send me to the EVM. The funny thing about my trips to the EVM today was that I KNEW I really wasn't hungry. Maybe I'll put my Trident out on my desk where I can see it so I'll remember to try that first.

Dinner was a cheeseburger - no bun - and.....french fries! I really feel like buns are just filler now but those fries were calling me. I also had 3 Dove dark chocolate promises and 2 chocolate covered strawberries.

Now I'm enjoying a glass of wine. Was it a healthy eating day?? Well, believe it or not, I feel like I restrained myself! I WANTED lots more junk food & carbs but I passed them by. On a scale of 1 (all junk) to 10 (all healthy), my day was about a 5 but it had the potential to be a 2 or 3.

I'm finished eating for the night. I made tons of hamburger patties on the George Foreman and I'll be freezing them so I'll have something quick to grab for those lunches at work or crazy nights at home. I haven't "cooked" for weeks so this was good.

I am celebrating today! Some of you know that I have poor vision. My driver's license limits me to daylight driving only. The sun was up long enough today that I stopped by the grocery store on the way home from work (a QUICK stop). This means that I don't have to bug DH to go to the store for me during the week - I can stop and pick stuff up on the way home. This is a blessing to me! I feel more independent when I don't have to constantly ask DH to take me out to the store - he's a busy guy and although he doesn't mind, I don't like to add more chores to his day.

My days are getting longer and filled with more ! YAY! Can Spring be far behind???

 

[DoeWDW]

It's a new day! I was very tempted to stay under the covers today and hide from the world, but I realized that would just mean more work tomorrow! So I got myself ready for work and here I am! No feeling sorry for myself today!! I realize that a lot of what I'm feeling is NOT related to my job - it's just my PMS/PMDD talking, whispering things in my ear that ARE NOT TRUE!! I should be able to recognize this pattern by now - these feelings of fatigue, incompetence, over-emotional, lack of confidence, etc. They are not ME, they are related to the hormones (or lack thereof) in my system at this point in my monthly cycle. I don't have to BELIEVE all this negative stuff in my head, especially since I know that by this weekend I won't have it in my head anymore!

I'm putting on a happy face and I'm going to do my best to sail peacefully and gracefully through my day. I won't try to overdo it, but I won't hide under the covers either.

As I sit here to write out my goals every morning, I get to the first one about the meds & vitamins, realize I haven't taken them, stop journalling and take them, just so I can say I've done it! LOL! How would I ever remember without this journal??

1. Meds & vitamins taken just now!
2. 5 mugs of decaf liquids. Only got 3 down yesterday so today I'm aiming for all 5!
3. B=half a PBJ sandwich, a small amount of honey roasted sunflower seeds and an apple. L will be 2 cheeseburger patties and a pink grapefruit. D - don't know but I can always stop at the store on the way home to pick something up!

The temps today are supposed to hit 40 degrees - maybe I'll take the puppy for a quick walk when I get home!

That's it so far! After writing all this down, I feel sunnier somehow.

 

[lulu201]

, , and more s, dear Doe-Doe. I felt bad yesterday that I couldn't respond to your rough day. . .I was at work and couldn't post (what's up with that???). Then when I came home from choir last night, I was just too much of a dishrag.

All I can say is to hang on, Doreen. Take it slow and take it small--doing what you have to do and finding little pockets of sunshine around you. You'll get through. You know that, but still it's a challenge, isn't it?

As far as the E.V.M. goes, my thought would be to tell yourself you can have peanut M &Ms if that's what you really want. . .but give yourself some time between the urge and the action. Or maybe have an M & M break time; buy a pack and enjoy them guilt and impulse free. There's nothing wrong with the food--it's just how we use it sometimes that's questionable. You know my personal preferences--"medicinal carbs." Monday was a Butterfinger, Tuesday was an iced sugar cookie. Man, oh, man, sometimes it's a struggle, isn't it?

I'm happy for the extra in your day, Doreen, so that you can run to the store after work. Like you said, spring is on its way!

Take care, Doreen.
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Hi there Doe! You sound like you are in a much better mood this morning. Good for you! I'm also in a great mood today - who knows maybe the worse is behind us.

Your menu sounds delicious today - quick thought on Peanut Butter a friend of mine has a digestive disorder and is also low carbing (which seems to be correcting the disorder) her dietician told her that she needs to start every day with a Peanut Butter sandwich and here is why. Peanut Butter will naturally jump start your metabolism, it coats your stomach so that you can eat other foods a little bit more freely, and the nutritional benefits of Peanut Butter are numerous. Of course she reccomends Natural PB So your breakfast was more healthy for ya then you thought. Isn't that something to get your spirits !

I'll be thinking about us today! Might have to wear my hat when I get home.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

hey doe, i'm sorry you're having a rough time, what with the hormones, work, and the EVM! but you're doing a great job looking at the positives! being able to get to the grocery store without bothering dh, getting those vitamins and meds down the hatch, getting up and facing the world when all you want to do it stay under the covers!

glad that your journal is a great place for you to come and get positive energy. hope that feeling continues for you throughout the day!!!

 

[Strings]

Doe,

I'm glad you decided to get out of bed today. I hope that your day is peaceful today. Enjoy your freedom. It can be a drag having to depend on someone else for transportation. I was so frustrated when I blew out my knee. Take a drive for the heck of it, and enjoy your .

I'll be thinking of you today.
Beth

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Doe!

I'm just dropping by to say hi. You sound much better today. We have to fight those negative feelings and you seem to be doing so brilliantly today. Keep it up and steer clear of the vending machine if you can!

I do applaud you for not getting out of control with your eating. That is an accomplishment to have that type of self control.

 

[tlgoblue]

Hi Doe!

I've been lurking on your journal lately, and see you've been a bit down. I'm sorry. I was looking for your trip report, but can't seem to find it. I was hoping it was something fabulous. I know I always go through a blue period when I get back from a glorious few days alone with DH. I'm glad to see you are holding up, if for nothing else than to go through the motions. Eventually, you will find the passion return to the motions, and you will be seeing things in a much better light. Keep your chin up! You have always had a way of picking me up on my dull days. I am sending~*~*~*PD*~*~* for a better week. Hope it helps! Keep smiling. Yours is one of the best!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[DoeWDW]

Thank you all for stopping in! I feel like I'm surrounded by my WISH friends and it's an uplifting feeling!

3 mugs down (2 water & 1 decaf green tea) - 2 more to go.

Lunch was just as planned - 2 burgers w/ cheese and my lovely grapefruit! It even SMELLS sunny! I've been missing fruit, so allowing myself to endulge in it has been heavenly!

I had to put my burgers & cheese in the fridge at work this morning and it's next to the EVM. I actually stuck my tongue out at that machine AND all the evil carby snacks that the coffee club people bring in on Wednesdays......I DO hope there's no hidden camera in there.

Forgot to post earlier that the scale is up another pound today - 133! I know it's all from the Bloat Fairy and I think most of it is in my bust!! I did think of something positive though (just call me Pollyanna!!)! I wore my "big" jeans today - you know, the ones that are roomier because I feel like a beached whale?? Then I realized that these same jeans USED TO BE my "skinny" jeans.....LOL!!!

Writing here reminded me of my earlier idea to use my Trident to avoid the EVM this afternoon (my most vulnerable time!). I just popped a piece in my mouth and I'm feeling strong!

Edit: 4 PM
I'm getting ready to leave work and I have NOT visited the EVM today!

 

[honeymo78]

It's wonderful to hear that your "fat" jeans used to be your "skinny" jeans. Things like that really help us to rememeber how far we've come especially when the scale isn't helping.

 

[DoeWDW]

Last evening wasn't a total success but I don't think it was a total failure either. I'm slowly getting back to healthier eating. I have found that I don't choose very wisely if left to my own devices. I think I'll have to go back to counting carbs, even if I set my daily carb level a little higher during the d-zone.

So, on to today!
1. Meds & vitamins will be taken when I get to work.
2. Only managed 4 mugs of water/tea yesterday. Is that enough? I'd like to get 5 mugs in today.
3. I think that I'll try for a 100 carb day to allow for the end of the d-zone. I should be back down to a lower level of carbs by this weekend.
4. Exercise......hmmmm.....I'm thinking about it.

I have to skedaddle & get ready for work.