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

[stego]

and read some of your journaling in between design sessions.
I wanted to take a moment and tell you personally I appreciate your support and advice. Thanks for taking the time to encourage me and give me motivation. I only read a few pages in the beginning, and now towards the end of your journal. From what I gather, you're stuck. I remember the past couple of years I was out walking daily and reguarly. I was very consistent with it. One of the neighbors even remarked so, said she always saw me outside with our son, walking through the neighborhood. What I think I figured out is I have obviously upped the intensity and endurance level. But not at the fanatical pace when I was 20 something. Oh, yes, I can excercise at this level now, but that's NOT at the level I was 8 months ago. And I know that my results are pretty much extraordinary.

Just for laughs, I recently tried on my wife's new jeans to see how a 10 fits. Yes, they fit. Obviously, they were a little short.
How does a 203 lb. man fit in a size 10? I have no clue. As it is,
I am once again going the rounds with clothes getting big.
It has gone beyond costly. My wife seems to think I'll get in a waist 32. At this point, I guess anything really is possible. The way I felt after my riding this weekend is that I could probably get down to a final goal weight of 175. I think that is very unrealistic, and would require quite a bit of committment and time to reach that level of fitness. Maybe WW could sponsor me to be on their Mountain biking team, if there is such a thing.

I hope that in my sharing/journaling I have at least brought some humor and amusement to the journey I've been on.

Soon enough, it will be time to post those pictures. I don't know how I'll do it, but I will figure it out. It's always good to have something to look forward to.

 

[Strings]

Hi Doe,

I'm sending some extra for you. It seems this is about the time you have trouble. I hope it helps.
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Hi Doe,

Hope you have a wonderful day and that you don't have to stand too long in line to vote. I had to wait about 35 minutes, but it was indoors so that was fine. You are doing a great job with your goals.

 

[geetey]

Hi Doe!
Just stopping by to say Hello and wish you a Happy Voting Day! Only a 30 minute process here. I hope that means there are more polling places in STL, instead of it reflecting a low turnout. Voting is so important.

Sending you loads of pixie dust , lots of

and a couple of good

.

 

[DoeWDW]

I managed to avoid snacking last night and so had ANOTHER 5 day!! No line when DH & I went to vote because everyone went earlier in the day.

This morning, I'm headed to a local college with a group from work for a presentation on data warehousing. This afternoon I have a high level meeting about SAP reporting. Tomorrow I'm off work - I'll be at the hospital with my father as we wait through Mom's laparoscopic gall bladder removal surgery. Friday is another high level meeting on the CRS data warehouse. Stress??? What stress??

I'm handling it all pretty well at the moment, although I did escape on the computer more than I should have yesterday. At least I'm not a total basket case. I keep reciting my Bible verse and praying - a LOT! I have NOT allowed myself to turn to food for comfort, so I'm proud of that.

Today, with updates throughout:

1. Devotions -
2. Meds & vitamins - both taken.
3. Water - 46 oz - not enough
4. Healthy eating - B = blueberry bagel w/ butter (the best option I had), L = cheesesteak sandwich (yeah, I ate the bun) and a Coke C2, PM snack = a navel orange (love that smell!), D = small fried chicken breast, 2 fun size candy bars, 1/2 C ice cream - not as healthy as I could have eaten
5. Exercise - didn't walk

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen. Know that you (and your mom and dad, too) are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the next few days--they sound quite busy and intense. Step by step, you'll
manage.

Enjoy your 2 miler with DH tonight; it'll be nice conversational time for the two of you.

Take care,
Erin

 

[sharoncity]

You are doing great Doreen! Those 5 days look amazing!!

Good luck tomorrow with mom and dad. I think it is worse for the people waiting than the person going through the procedure. Just tends to be a LONG day all the way around. Go with a plan for healthy eating and stick to it!

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

Mmm....Blueberry Bagel w/Butter. Well now I'm hungry!
I will say a quick prayer for your parents and the doctors tomorrow.

You are doing so awesome girl! Aren't you starting to feel it? Tonight is a workout night! 2 miles - are you ready! You are doing better then me this week - this will be our first night of walking. But I am looking forward to it.

I sent you a PM.

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Doe,

Congratulations on another day.

I will be sending prayers for your family over the next few days. I am also sending major for you. Your schedule is very intense the next few days. Baby steps, prayer, and deep breathing will help.

Try to have a good day,
Beth

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi Doe,
Just wanted to tell you that you're awesome!
Have a great day!

 

[DoeWDW]

Well, I got 2 and 3 yesterday. Devotions & meds account for the . However, I didn't drink enough water, eat very healthy when I got home or get my 2 miles of walking in. It's OK - life happens and I've allowed myself some leeway on these goals.

Today it's back to business though. I have lots to do at home before I leave around 9:30 AM for the hospital to meet my parents. I'll be there until about 8 PM tonight. I'm going to stop by the store and pick up some healthy snacks and bottles of water.

So here are the goals, along with my progress so far this month:
1. Devotions - 3/3 -
2. Meds & vitamins - 3/3 -
3. Water - 2/3 - 12 oz down, more to come
4. Healthy eating - 2/3 - B = small bowl of Total protein
5. Exercise - 1/3 I'll walk 2 miles today (on the schedule) and walk 2 miles tomorrow to make up for yesterday.

 

[Auntmeme]

Hi Doe-doe
Wishing you a stress free Thursday Hoping and praying all goes well with mom!
I want to see more for today! It's a bit chilly so layer up for that 2 miler and drink your water yummy

See ya soon

 

[septbride2002]

Take care of yourself at the hospital today. Don't let the EVM get ya! Focus on what you can do instead of what you didn't do. I know you will make up those 2 miles - your legs are probably ready for the exercise. I know mine are liking all the walking. And ya know - it's not just training for the marathon - it is good WDW training for your next trip as well!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Oh, shoot! I missed you! See what happens when I dilly-dally? I'll be thinking of you at the hospital, though. You know that.

What a good idea to stop off and pick up some healthy snacks and water before heading over to the hospital! You're fortifying yourself and that's good! Like Amanda says, STAY CLEAR OF THE EVM. Ya can't trust those blasted things!!!

Hmmm, maybe some Christmas mall walking is in order? Maybe we should get a plan in action? Check the calendar. . .you HAVE to shop, so we might as well walk, right?

Celebrate all of your healthy living victories, Doreen. Two are better than 5 , right?

Take care now,
Erin

 

[Strings]

Hi Doe,

I hope all goes well with your mom today. I'll be sending prayers. It was very smart to bring your own food. You know what they say about hospital food is absolutely true.

Get some rest tonight.

Beth

 

[Princess Michelle]

Hey Doe! I love seeing thos 5 sunny days!

I hope things went well for your mom today!

 

[DoeWDW]

First and most importantly, my mom is doing well. Thank you all for your prayers and words of support. They helped buoy me up through the long day yesterday. Mom came through surgery fine but was very slow in coming out of the anesthesia. They kept her overnight. When we found her room number, we couldn't help but laugh. My 66 yo Mom was in Pediatrics!

I was thinking about Beth & Wilderness (our resident nurses) all day. Every nurse we encountered was professional, yet warm and caring. They were all a credit to the nursing profession. My only regret is that I didn't have the presence of mind to stop each of them and thank them personally.

You know what they say about the road to Hades being paved with good intentions??? Didn't have time to stop for water & healthy snacks yesterday. I did well at the hospital - no EVM junk for me! Dad and I ate beef barley soup and cheesesteak wraps for a late lunch. Didn't eat dinner til I got home around 9 PM but by then I was starving and stressed from the long day, on top of having my DZone carb cravings - 2 slices of pizza, 4 fried mozzarella sticks, 3 fun size pieces of candy. I'm proud that I stopped there - I WANTED to eat everything in the kitchen.

I had 2 smilies yesterday - devotions & meds. The other 3 I can't in good conscience give smilies to - not enough water, very little walking and there wasn't a lot of "healthy eating" involved in my dinner last night.

So on to today. I have a major meeting at 9:30 that I'm not even close to ready for, but I'll pull it together as soon as I finish this journal entry. I'll have to visit other journals afterward.

Today:
1. Devotions - 4/4 - not yet.
2. Meds & vitamins - 4/4 - not yet.
3. Water - 2/4 - not yet.
4. Healthy eating - 2/4 - B = blueberry bagel w/ butter & a Coke C2
5. Exercise - 1/4 - I have 2 2 mile walks to catch up on or I may choose to just let one go - not sure yet.

 

[lulu201]

for your Friday morning, Doe-Doe. I'm glad to hear mom is doing well, but it sounds like you're having major crunch time over there! Hang in there and know I'll be cheering for you at 9:30.

Take some time for yourself this afternoon if you can--
Lulu

 

[Strings]

Doe,

I am so happy to hear that your mom is doing well. Personally, I think an overnight stay is a good thing. A Just In Case type of thing, at least for my own family. I am also glad to hear that the nursing staff was professional.

As for your smilies. 1.) You are in the throes of DZONE. 2.) You were under a great amount of stress. It may have been a routine surgery, but nothing is routine when it is your mom. 3.) It was an incredibly long day. Your energy reserves by the end were used up. 4.) You were out of your routine. We all know that routine may be boring, but it helps keep you OP.

I think you did a remarkable job. You didn't eat the entire pizza. You stopped yourself, despite wanting more. Please give yourself a bit of a break.

I am sending you major for your meeting. It will be over soon. You'll be posting that it went well, and give a big sigh of relief. At least it isn't hanging over your head for the entire day.

,
Beth

 

[septbride2002]

I'm glad to hear your Mom is doing well.

~Amanda