Lesli's Changing Life at 40 Journal

[toystoryduo]

Great job on getting all that exercise in yesterday and avoiding the cake!

Sending some for your genealogy project.

Hope you have a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Today is a tired day. I stayed up too late last night, but I got one more thing off my desk. Pros and cons.

Yesterday started out well, but then I got a bit stressed. Food was fine through lunch, although, I ate a bit too much and should have put away 1/2 of the pasta. Then because the pasta was a bit spicy, I had 1 thin mint afterwards to kind of cut the spice, which worked. By the time I had the PM snack, I was stressed a bit and I picked up a Twix at the grocery store and ate it all. Not too bad in a way since I haven't had much for candy in quite a few weeks. Ate some nuts, but they were very salty. Supper was a cheese dog and tater tots (using leftovers). That was followed by 2 thin mints. Water was up. I still am holding the same net loss for the month, so I didn't totally destroy that, but I feel that I could have made healthier choices.

DH and I had to talk with the school yesterday since DD11 is being bullied on a daily basis to the point that things have gone too far. It is so sad since she is so bright and at the top of her class and yet she has come to "accept" that a normal day consists of someone or a few someones being extremely mean to her. The friends that she had are told that they can't be friends with her if they want to fit in elsewhere. Some of it is normal, but much of it is not. Will it get any better? I don't know, but I guess you have to exhaust all the avenues of the school first. Right now, I am not holding out much hope, but we will see.

Food Today:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, 1/2 english muffin, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice, 3 strawberries
AM snack - 4 saltines w/pb
Lunch - HC chicken & rice soup
PM snack - banana
Supper - Panera if I am out, maybe LC panini & salad if I am not

Goals Today:
1. Take a nap - better than mindless snacking
2. Exercise

Nothing to complex today. I have to figure out the summer schedule, camps, vacation, etc and get things signed up or begin planning. Also, I need to tackle the bills. I am keeping things simple today since I am tired and don't have the mental stamina that I need to do more. Maybe I should read and just call this a relaxing day off for me. Hey, it doesn't happen often.

Hope that everyone is having a better day.

 

[Lesli54]

Quickly, I have a chance to update. Good news! I am down another 1.6lbs! Which puts me at 217.4.

In March, I lost 3.4 lbs, of which 10 was my goal, but hey, I will take it and be proud since I gained so much more in terms of the way I feel, the increase in activitym, and many of the other changes that I have made. As for exercise, I managed to get in 465 minutes out of 500. That to me is a great start since I really hadn't been doing anything extra before and now I am starting to find other ways to be more active, walk further in the parking lot, etc. Every bit helps.

I feel now that I am down far enough past the 220's that I can say I will never see those numbers again. It just feels like a great accomplishment to be out of that territory. Next step, getting under 210.

Well, I did not accomplish much yesterday, which was probably a good thing and I did take my nap, although it was longer than intended. Fortunately, I could think more clearly later.......and I wasn't munching during that time trying to stay awake.

Food was fine until the afternoon. I had the munchies, but fortunately, not alot to munch on. At any rate I had a few almonds, 2 saltines w/pb, I think a banana, couple of thin mints , and ?? not sure what else. For supper, I had a HC Fresh Mixers southwest rice. Then 2 thin mints later. Water was way up. Yes, I did get munchy, but it was far better than before and I was able to get ahold of myself better. Of course, not having chips and too many other "bad" foods helps.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, 1/2 english muffin w/jelly, 3 LARGE slices of portobellos lightly sauteed, 1 c tea (green w/pineapple & grapefruit, so delish)
AM snack - banana
Lunch - 1/2 turkey artichoke sandwich, 1/2 ceaser salad, 1 apple (Panera's). I am thinking that next time, I will just get the sandwich and take part home instead of having a very fattening salad
PM snack - 2 thin mints
Supper - ?? maybe a slice of pizza, depends on what is left. If not, a cup of soup and some crackers, and 1/2 roast beef sandwich on 7 grain.

I have been running errands today. Talked again with the school, but hopefully, we will make headway. DH and I got away for lunch and we also looked at both treadmills that we have narrowed down to. I think we will make the decision in the next day or two.

I have to go up to the church to help serve dinner for the youth, but that is early, so I shouldn't be home late. Hopefully, I can clear a few more things from my desk tonight and get to bed fairly early.

Everyone have a great evening!

 

[Lesli54]

I am so tired of the cold and they are talking possibly more snow. It probably wouldn't last long, but when is summer coming?

Yesterday evening, I was a bit stressed and that didn't help the food situation. Went to serve dinner for the youth only to find that I didn't have any help. I guess I figured that if you help provide the meal then you help serve. One person had to work, which is understandable, but the other person brought food and then left. It wasn't that it was hard since it was pizza, chips, pop and some cookies, but it would have been nice to have someone around to help a little and to talk to. Then people wonder why I have been backing off of doing these things.

Anyway, I had 2 very small pieces of pizza while there, but they probably didn't add up to a full slice, 2 chips to test the freshness of the bags we opened since I think they had been there a while, and 1 cookie (chunky chips ahoy) because they sounded good, but actually weren't great. Fresh baked is better. Then I got home and since I was still hungry, I ate "supper". I really wanted some bbq chips so bought a small bag, unfortunately, I ate the entire bag. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to realize that if I was going to have the calories from the chips the rest of my meal had to be reasonable, a few large portobellos cooked and some roast beef. I also had just over 2/3 a wine cooler. Oh yeah, later there was a sm bowl of cheerios and milk. Water was on track.

I started to get a glimpse of how I used to handle stress in the "before" and how easy it was to numb the thoughts so to speak. It was an eye opener and the chips really weren't that good, I just ate them and told myself that it would be ok because I had been watching other foods even though I wasn't that hungry for them. So now time to move on to dealing with these unexpected stresses in a more positive manner. I do not want to go back to the way things were, that's not me, I want to move forward to be the me that I feel I really am and have been even if it was a long time ago.

On the plus side, I am counting 15 minutes from yesterday as exercise since we walked treadmills and I chose to pace in an office that we were waiting in. I am not usually a pacer, but hey, it was extra steps and burns more cal than sitting.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, 2 large sauted mushrooms, 1/2 english muffin w/jelly, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - yogurt
Lunch - 1/2 chicken salad sandwich on 7 grain, orange
PM snack - apple w/pb
Supper - pizza night & 6 oz pop (unless I get ambitious and find a new recipe)

Goals today:
1. Exercise - walk laps around the house
2. Catch up on bookwork
3. Family project - maybe sort pics

Today is a quite day, so hopefully, I can accomplish quite a bit.

For all of you reading, I hope you have a great day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Congrats on the weight loss, Lesli!

Sending some to help you with your to do list today.

I hope you have a great day!

 

[Lesli54]

Thank you, Traci.

The scale is down another .20 lbs. Hey, I will take what I can get. It is really surprising considering that we had pizza last night. All of my food was as planned except I lost my mind and made a whole sandwich for lunch and skipped the orange, just not hungry for that much. A little more pizza than I should have and 2 thin mints later. Water was up, so for the most part everything was pretty good.

Didn't get any of my other goals accomplished. I sat down to pay bills and then I ended up tackling more of the "to deal with later" pile. Amazingly, I got through a lot. Although it still amazes me that there is still more left. Oh well, the organization process can be slow, but at least it is getting done and I know that I will feel much more free when it is. I did find that I can do sit-ups. Yes, I know that sounds strange, but with some of my physical limitations, I wasn't sure. DD11 was doing some so I thought I would try. Hey, if you can't make a fool of yourself in front of your family where can you do it? Anyway, it was a real mental boost to realize that I have more exercise options and fewer limitations than I first realized. Now, a year ago, I know I wouldn't have been able to do them, but I can now and that is all that matters.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/mushrooms, gr peppers & little cheese, 1 c milk, 1 c gr fruit juice
AM snack - missed (to busy taking care of errands)
Lunch - banana, 3 ritz sandwiches w/pb (change in plans and had a meeting decide at the last minute)
PM snack - chicken fajita pita from Orange Julius/DQ and 2 bites of DS6's ice cream cone (running errands, promised the kids a treat and I needed lunch)
Supper - cheeseburger, 1/2 fries, ice tea (finished errands late so grabbed McD's on way home, DD11 and I split the 2 cheeseburger value meal . Let's face it, that really is a 2 person meal. Plus it was tons less cal than a qtr lbr w/cheese and fries, which is my usual)

Water was down, but I don't think it was too far off of 64 oz.

Today was a really productive day. I made my consult for the laser surgery, so keep your fingers crossed. Scheduled alot of other appts, took care of many loose ends, returned items, went shopping with DD11 and DS6 for a wedding tomorrow, had an impromptu meeting, and I can't remember what else. Very little sitting.

We did decide that we would be doing quite a bit of camping this summer not too far from home. The great news is that aside from a pool and many other activities, they have a cardio room. Hopefully, this will really be a great opportunity for us to get in better shape as well as have some family time together.

I better get to bed, we have a very busy day tomorrow. DD11 is having her dance pictures taken and I just found out that DD21 will be showing up to visit with us for a bit during that time which will be nice. The rest of the family will be attending a wedding (unless by some miracle pictures go quickly, but not alot of hope for that since there are many kids to get through). Then DD11 and I get to meet everyone at the reception. Hopefully, we won't have too much time to kill. Anyway, lots to do in the morning to make sure that everyone has what they need to get ready.

Everyone have a great weekend. I will post when I get a chance.

 

[toystoryduo]

It sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead of you. I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[Lesli54]

Just popping in real quick to say that I am down another .6 lbs.. I wasn't sure how the lack of a decent meals that were really off and less water would affect things, but obviously the major increase in activity helped. As well as really thinking about my choices at the fast foods and not falling into old habits.

Anyway, I am so excited! That is over 10 lbs off since I started, so new clippie for me and over 15 lbs from my all time high. It is amaznig how much better you feel with just that much off.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, mushrooms, 1/2 english muffin w/jelly, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - banana
Lunch - 1 c soup and 4 saltines w/butter, if I have time. Otherwise, 1/2 pb on 7 grain and fruit cup on the go.
PM snack - 100 cal snack bar, might get busy and forget
Supper - ??? Could be anything since I have not heard what they plan to serve at the reception. A piece of cake is most definite.

Today's goals:
1. Try to get in as much water as possible.

Well, I better get going. Need to iron some things and finish getting everyone's stuff together.

Everyone have a great Saturday.

 

[Lesli54]

Down another .6 lbs as of weighing yesterday.

Saturday was really really long. I was so busy trying to get so many things done in the morning, that I missed the AM snack. Then DD11 and I quickly ran out the door and I missed lunch. Unfortunately, so did she. However, I thought that since we had a couple of snack bars that we would be fine until after pictures were over. However, when we got to the studio, I found out that the picture schedule was changed and they were behind. So we were there much longer. In hindsight, I see that I should have packed a few more things to eat, I just didn't count on things being that far off. So we both had a snack bar and fortunately, DD11 had another snack at the studio that they handed out. By the time we got out of there, it was time to head over to the reception right away and I didn't want to stop for "lunch" just to eat dinner within an hour. I should have stopped. We probably waited for an hour and a half at the reception before we had dinner and unfortunately, there was not much to snack on. Needless to say, DD11 and I were very hungry by the time dinner came around.

The reception went fine, but it was very cold inside and I was chilled. Part might be from the fact that hadn't eaten well before hand, but I think they had the A/C on. For dinner, I had a roast beef sandwich, couple bites of au graten potatoes, lots of fresh fruit, lots of gr beans, fresh veggies, little bit of pulled pork (no bread). I also had a sm glass of wine and a few bites of cake (too sweet). An interesting thing that the guests had to do was "sing for their supper". Each table had a song that they had to sing in order for the table to be released to go to the buffet. It was really funny and provided quite a bit of entertainment while we were waiting. DH, DD11, and DS sang for our supper. It was great!

Afterwards we went to pick up some tile to replace the flooring in our kitchen/hallway ares. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough. By then it was late, I was tired and some Mrs. Field's prepackaged cookies looked good, so I bought some. Fortunately, they were not as tasty as I had hoped so I ate only 1/2.

Sunday.......

We slept in. Of course, the cold, gloomy weather coming through didn't help.

All I ate yesterday was bread, so the scales were not so kind, but I will get back on track today. For breakfast I ate a lg shredded wheat biscuite, 1 c milk, 1 c grapefruit juice (out of eggs). AM snack was 6 saltines w/pb (looking for protein, didn't have much). Ate the other 1/2 of Mrs Fields cookie. Lunch was around 3pm at Arbys and I had 2 potato cakes and 1/2 french dip sandwich (brought the other half home). I think I had cookie. Supper was pizza since everyone was so tired. Finished the day with a cookie. Water was maybe at 64 oz. Not a great day in terms of food.

I spent part of the morning trying to catch up on things and started planning some color schemes for my kitchen. We are going to do some cosmetic updates since we are tired of the 59 yr old kitchen, but are not quite ready to remodel. Maybe next year with luck, but at least I can make things feel more updated. Went to pick up more tile in another town, only to find that they didn't have any boxes. I only have one other place to try or we will order. However, I found a sink that I thought I would work in our very very small bathroom that needs a well scaled sink to give the most room and I ordered it. Unfortunately, when I got home I did some more measuring only to find out that it will probably not work. Did I mention that it is a very small bathroom? So back to the drawing board. This is why I have so many problems with getting my house done. Either tons of $$, the scale is wrong (we are dealing with an older house), or they don't have what I need when we decide to do it. And here I am ready to make decisions just to get my house finished.

Oh well.

Today...........

It SNOWED last night, fortunately, it has almost all melted. This morning I ran to the store and had to scrape the snow off my car! You know there is really something wrong with scraping snow off in April. The kids have spring break so they are home all week. Hopefully, we can get quite a bit done this week in terms of projects and yet have some time to do a few fun things.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, sauteed mushrooms, 1/2 english muffin w/ jelly, 1 c milk, 1 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - orange
Lunch - 1/2 roast beef on 7 grain, gr pepper, pear
PM snack - cheese, carrots
Supper - ??? just dug out the "to try" recipes and will make something new, but healthy

Goals today:
1. Exercise - 15 min of something
2. Work on family project
3. Find a new bathroom sink

Well, I better get going. This is quite long and I apologize, but I do need to stay accountable. I do want add that I put on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in awhile and am pleased with the fact that they slide up and down without having to wiggle. It's great when you start to see a difference in your clothing.

Everyone have a wonderful day!

 

[toystoryduo]

The reception and singing for your supper sounds like a lot of fun!

Great job on losing another .6 pounds! Those add up fast!

I hope you have a great day ahead!

 

[Lesli54]

Yesterday and this morning have been filled with quite a bit of frustration. I spent quite a bit of time online searching for a new bathroom sink since the one I ordered will not fit. It took most of my day. But I did find one that I think I will go with, but now I have to cancel the order on the one that won't fit. Unless, it will work in the other bathroom. Then I started narrowing down a new medicine cabinet. It is always something.

Then while I was looking around, I saw that Lowe's had an excellent deal on a washer & dryer which pretty much put them at just over "2 for the price of 1". We have been putting off getting a new set for over 1 1/2 years and I thought this would work. Might as well take advantage of the deal while I can before my set finally gives out. Went to the store, made sure that the machines would do what I wanted and then found out that I couldn't order them in store, just online. Went online to order and found out that I couldn't use my card to get the 12 mos same as cash since they have updated them to have a security code and mine doesn't have one. Now why would a company not automatically send out new cards if they changed something like that? Of course, getting ahold of anyone was impossible since it was getting past hours.

Jump to this morning, tried to work out the problem and I had to talk to 4 different people. Finally, after 2 hours, we have the washer & dryer ordered. Only, now that leads to plan number 335 (or something like that) as we now have to spend the next few weeks finishing remodeling our bath/laundry area before they arrive. I just don't feel like getting dust from mudding the room into the new washer & dryer. Just one more thing to do NOW. Oh well, the plus side is that it will finally be done (been in progress for a long time) and then I can check that off the list.

So yesterday was pretty much "wasted" in terms of productivity. Food was on track until lunch when I skipped the pear. Ate only the cheese at the PM snack. Had the last of the Mrs. Field's cookies. Supper was at Wendy's (our busted trip to order the washer & dryer). I had a jr bacon cheeseburger & a baked potato. I figured the potato was better than fries and I still was able to get the flavor of the larger burger that I usually order. No pop, only water. Then late, I was so frustrated with the whole ordering process that I ate 1/2 bag of micro popcorn and 3 thin mints (they are gone). Also had a wine cooler. Water was at least 64 oz.

On to today........

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, 1/2 english muffin w/jelly, 1/2 c grapefruit juice, 1 c milk
AM snack - slice of roat beef (just not hungry)
Lunch - 1/2 turkey on 7 grain, chips, carrots
PM snack - apple or pear
Supper - ??? probably grab something out as I now have to get a few more supplies to finish that laundry room

Goals today:
1. Try to take one thing at a time and not feel bogged down
2. Stick to the food plan (it could go awry if I am not careful since I am becoming a bit overwhelmed)

Best laid plans of mice and men. Cancelled going to a meeting that I had this afternoon, waiting for the satelite repairman. Then DH has scheduled another repairman for later in the week. So much for doing things with the kids this week. Guess we will maybe do something one of the days.

Well, off to try to get something off my desk, maybe then I will be feeling like I have accomplished something. Everyone have a great day.

 

[Lesli54]

Got through yesterday's repairmen. Then DH and I went to pick up more floor tile for our kitchen project only to find out that they have discontinued it and what is in the store is the last. Of course, the 3 stores we have visited don't have enough. So, I guess I will now use those tiles for the bath/laundry room. We did try to find something for the kitchen and were out of luck. I just didn't like most of what we found, which wasn't much. As for the sink, I have decided to keep the new one I ordered and we will use it for the bath/laundry room since it provides more storage while taking up less space than the original sink I had purchased many years ago. Now, I have a sink to sell, but that is ok since this new one will work better. I guess, things are falling into place for the bath/laundry area since we have all the fixtures and supplies except paint. So I guess that means I need to focus on that and worry about finding flooring for my kitchen later. What do you do?

Food yesterday was pretty good. At lunch, I accidentally made a whole sandwich since I made mine after I had made everyone else's. I thought, oh well. As it turned out, I could only eat just over half. In fact, I only ate about 1/2 of everything (would not have done that in the before). I just wasn't hungry, felt satisfied, and accepted it for that. The PM snack was 3 crackers w/pb. Supper was Long John Silver's. I had 2 pieces of chicken, 1/2 fries, 1/2 coleslaw, 2 hush puppies, and water. I realized that I was full and to finish the meal would lead to misery, so I stopped. Took the rest home and DD11 had some for her supper. Water was 80 oz.

I did remind myself to not get stressed and just take each thing as it came which helped alot.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/gr pepper & moz, 1/2 c grapefruit juice, 1 c milk
AM snack - yogurt
Lunch - 1/2 roastbeef on 7 grain, chips (chips are not near as appealing any more)
PM snack - probably miss
Supper - ???

Goals Today:
1. organize some more of my desk
2. work on family project

Well, I am off to see if I am a candidate for lasik, or at least this is the first step. Joy, I just love having my eyes dialated.

Everyone have a great day!

 

[toystoryduo]

I hope your appointment goes well today! Have a good evening!

 

[Lesli54]

Finally, I can see again. Well, the eyes are still a bit light sensitive, but at least I can focus. Those drops were strong and lasted all day. My eyes felt so tired when we came home that I had to take a nap. The good news is that I am a good candidate, so now I meet with the surgeon, but I still need to make some decisions before it is all said and done.

Food yesterday was as planned through lunch. After coming home from the eye dr, I was so tired and started snacking on chips. Fortunately, they really don't taste that good, so I didn't keep eating them and I reminded myself that what my body really needed was some rest, so I took a nap. Supper was pizza, too tired and yes we do this too much lately, but the good news is that it was only cheese & I only ate just over 1/4 of the pizza which is really good for me since I usually do just over 1/2. Also had about 10 oz of pop and less than 1 c hot cocoa (wanted something sweet, but not too sweet, cal-wise I am better off with a sm piece of dark chocolate). Water was 64 oz.

My goals were not accomplished since I had a hard time seeing clearly when I got home.

Food today:
Breakfast - sausage biscuit at McD's
AM snack - 1 c grapefruit & handful of walnuts
Lunch - 1/2 roast beef on 7 grain, gr peppers, & carrots
PM snack - apple w/pb
Supper - ??? probably out

Goals today:
1. Dig through family pics for the project

Had to be up early to take DD11 to the ortho, so we grabbed some breakfast on the way back home. I skipped the hashbrown, so that is good news. This afternoon, we are off to visit my grandmother, so we will probably eat out for dinner.

Here's hoping that everyone has a great day!

 

[goldcupmom]

Congrats on the losses, Lesli! You are really doing AWESOME!!!

Lasik scares me, but for no logical reason. I'd love to get it done, tho....But if I did you'd see the bags under my eyes even more!! Can't wait to hear your decision & the outcome. It is so tempting!

Hope the rest of the week goes well and that you have a good Easter!

 

[toystoryduo]

That's great that you're a candidate for Lasik surgery! Those drops sounded pretty strong though! I hope your eyes are feeling better today.

I hope you have a great day ahead!

 

[Lesli54]

Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

I definitely see much better today. I was beginning to think that my whole life is fuzzy.

Yesterday, I made a lot of progress in looking through family letters and pictures for the project. Still more to go, but at least I did get a chunk of it done. The kids and I visited with my Gran which was really nice and she enjoyed the visit.

Food was ok through lunch. I didn't have the carrots and instead had cheetos. The PM snack was 1 sm piece of dark chocolate. Supper was a small chef salad (looked like a large, I ate half) and a baked potato. The restaurant we ate at wasn't very good and unfortunately, I didn't feel very good after leaving. One would think that a salad was safe. On the way home, I had a Twix.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 1 fried egg, 1 lg shredded wheat biscuit, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice
AM snack - yogurt
Lunch - 1/2 roast beef on 7 grain, gr peppers, some chips
PM snack - 1 sm piece of dark chocolate, 1 Tbsp of pb, couple more chips (they are gone, thank goodness, next time I specify to DH that I want grab bag size to share)........and I feel like grazing.
Late PM snack - yes, I gave in..A small plate of "nachos" (feeling a bit overwhelmed)
Supper - maybe BLT's and some potato salad (I am really wishing for warm weather)

Goals today:
1. finish up some paperwork
2. get some things off my desk
3. work on family project

So far today, I have been working on the family project and trying to find a computer program that will give me better end results than the one I have. I think I found one, but now I have to verify that everything transferred over well. There is so much to do and the deadline is creeping up.

I am really beginning to feel overwhelmed. It seems that things really piled up this week. I am behind on bookwork, my desk is piling up, need to finish this family project, need to work on the bath/laundry area (clean, tape, mud, prime, paint, lay a floor, etc), need to get FAFSA's done for the older DD's, need to do some Easter shopping, planning the summer activities, and this list keeps adding up. I am just feeling like I am never going to get caught up or ahead. It's just hard to get to the point where I can stay caught up and do things as they come in so that I can have a little time to myself. Did I mention, that I would like to begin some spring cleaning and simplify things more?

I know that I can't go back to eating whenever I feel like this. Well, I could, but I don't want to, it's not the answer. But it is tough to stay motivated enough at times to just work through these overwhelming moments. I like organization and I am feeling like I can't even get there.

Somehow I will get through, but I am really beginning to think that I need a secretary.

Everyone have a good Easter weekend.

 

[Lesli54]

After I posted yesterday, the rest of the day went really well. It helped tremendously to put into words my frustrations. I also did notice that I am on the right track when I say that being disorganized and overwhelmed because of it leads me to eat more. Shortly after posting, I started to pick up anything off my desk and around my office that I could quickly put away or take care of which allowed me to sit down and take care of some of the tasks that I needed to get done. I did manage to get quite a bit done and I could almost literally feel the "weight" of being overwhelmed lift off my shoulders.

The only thing that I ate after posting was 4 hershey kisses (not great, threw away rest of bag) and a BLT sandwich. I realized that I wasn't very hungry and I was focused on finishing my tasks. So it does seem that if I put things off, I eat more. Interesting. I can't say as if I have tons less to do, but I am determined to get my life to a more managable order.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 egg omelet w/cheese, 1 c milk, 1/2 c grapefruit juice, grapes
AM snack - pecans & craisins
Lunch - soup & 4 crackers
PM snack - apple
Supper - chicken, pasta salad & garden salad

Goals today:
1. Prioritize - Don't think about how much there is left to do, just do what I can, soon there will not be as much left.
2. Exercise - 15 min (stretching, walking laps, anything - I think I need this time for me to regroup and keep things on an even keel)
3. Clean laundry/bath area to start mudding

There is quite a bit to do, but I am not worried about it. If I don't get it all done today, that is ok. My house is fairly clean for company, so just a little spiffing and I should be fine there. I'll pick up a few things for baskets when I run up to grab groceries. Tonight, I will get some of my menu started for tomorrow so there is less stress, like cutting veggies, fruit, etc. There won't be too many of us tomorrow so I am just going to keep the menu simple.

Other plans for the day is focusing on getting some bookwork done and working on the familly project.

One step at a time, right?

WISHing you all a great holiday.

 

[Lesli54]

I missed updating at one month (starting in Feb 2009 when I decided to really get serious) and realized that I need to evaluate and set some new goals. Right now, I have been doing this for just over 2 months and I feel great compared to when I started. It hasn't always been easy, but I am slowly learning how to make lifestyle changes that will help me maintain my weight loss in the long run.

2 months ago, I was afraid of crossing the line beyond my heaviest point and the effects that weight was having on my health and knee. I can fortunately say that I am down enough from my heaviest, that I no longer fear crossing that line and I know I will never have to fear that. Also, I think that losing even the 10lbs has made a difference in my knee. It appears that I have less problems. Did you know that for every lb you lose thats 4 lbs less impact on your knee? So I just took off 40 lbs of impact on my knee. How cool is that?

What I have learned (or re-learned):
1. Getting proper sleep is key to making smart food choices.
2. Eating 5 small nutritional meals a day is key to maintaining consistent energy levels.
3. Drinking at least 64 oz of water daily is key feeling fuller and proper hydration.
4. Drinking milk daily (just a glass) is key losing weight, something in the enzymes, but it works.
5. I need to exercise in the morning before everyone gets up or I reduce my chance of exercising for the day.
6. Having support and being accountable is key to staying on track. I need the support of my WISH friends to help get me through to the end.
7. Being organized and staying on top of things is key to keeping away the munchies and staying away from the food coma.

Things I need to remember:
1. Healthy foods make me feel tons better than junk foods.
2. Moving more makes the scales move.
3. Weight loss is a project taken in stages.
4. I don't have to feel guilty when I slip, I just have to move on.
5. Getting to bed at 10:30 helps me have enough energy for the next day.

Things I have accomplished:
1. Feeling more energetic.
2. Portion control. Things can still taste great at smaller portions.
3. Staying upbeat, for the most part. This is a choice in life.
4. Increasing my water significantly.
5. Drinking milk, daily, amazing since I am not fond of milk.
6. Being accountable.

Things I would like to see change:
1. Feeling rested. Still needs work.
2. Feel less overwhelmed and therefore calmer. Much better, but still needs work.
3. Being able to fit into my summer clothes and look decent.
4. Fewer aches and pains

Things I will work on this month:
1. EXERCISE. This is my next biggest hurdle.
2. Planning meals and preparing some to freeze for nights when I don't have time to cook (or don't want to). We have relied on to many quick fixes.

So I am 2 months into my new lifestyle change and some things are going slow, but they are going. I feel very confident that I will be able to accomplish my goal. I started at 227lbs and have lost 10.8lbs, putting me at 216.2 lbs. That's and average of just over 5lbs a month, so pretty good.

My overall goal is to get to 150lbs, that's only 66.2 lbs remaining to lose. These are the goals that I would like to meet at various "landmarks", adjusted as needed.
1. 10 lbs lost by my 42nd Birthday (beginning May, close to 200!)
2. 25 lbs lost by Vacation (late June, don't know where)
3. 35 lbs lost by my DD21s Birthday (mid July)
4. 45 lbs lost by my Anniversary (mid Aug, low 170's, ooh la la!)
5. 55 lbs lost by DD11's Birthday (end of Sept)
6. 66.2lbs lost by DH's Birthday (end Oct. Hit the goal!)

I have set little "rewards" for each 5 lbs. lost. (Still have to get that facial for the last set of 5lbs I just lost.)
The first 5 an appt for new makeup (new colors, mineral makeup)
The second 5, is new sunglasses in a new style that I wouldn't normally try.

I can do this. I have done been half way to my goal before and I can make it to the end this time. There is no reason why I have to carry on some of the same problems that face some family members in my family. On to a better me that will last a lifetime!

 

[Lesli54]

What a dreary day and I am really getting tired of the cold. Yesterday was beautiful and felt like spring. Today feels like fall.

Food was off on Saturday, but still pretty well portioned. Missed the AM snack as I was running errands that took longer. Lunch was a pork chop sandwich (Saturday cookouts started). DH was really busy at the cookout so I pitched in and just decided to grab a sandwich. A couple peices of chocolate and 2 thin mints sometime during the day. Some tostitos w/ melted cheese, hungry because my food plan was off schedule. Supper was little over 1/4 pizza and pop. DH and I were tired, it was getting late, so we went easy. Water was pretty decent.

Otherwise, Saturday was pretty productive, I did a little cleaning, got some food prepped for Easter, worked on some of the family project. All in all a good day.

Easter.....
What a busy day. Somehow I managed to get more done before church than I normally do and I am not sure how. Popped cinnamon rolls in, watched the kids hunt for Easter eggs around the house, cleaned up for church, and put my ham in all before we left. All in just over an hour. Why can't I do that all the time?

After church, I made the rest of my dinner and DD19 helped get the rest of the house spifffed. DD11 and DS6 were in charge of table decor. DH was home a bit earlier than I expected which was nice. We all had a nice dinner after the rest of our company arrived and just had great converstaion. Later, DH and I, along with our youngest 2 went up to visit DD21 and took her out to dinner at Applebee's. It is difficult to fit in seeing everyone during the holidays, but we managed pretty well.

Food yesterday was a bit heavy although I did maintain portions pretty well. Water was horrible. It is so hard to get it in when I am focused on evertything else. Breakfast was a small cinnamon roll, hard boiled egg, 1 c milk, 1 c grapefruit juice. AM snack - missed. Lunch was ham, 2 deviled eggs, fresh pineapple, gr peppers, cauliflower, baked beans, corn pudding. I did go back for a little more ham, beans, and corn, but very little. Had a glass of wine. PM snack was dessert, I had a sm piece of cheesecake w/strawberries. Supper was spinach artichock dip and a few tortilla chips (split 5 ways, I didn't eat much), chicken & portobello sandwich (pretty good) w/apples on side, glass of tea. DD21 and I then split the chocolate meltdown dessert. Later, I had a bit size snickers. All in all not bad. The best thing was that I found something at Applebees that was healthier and not as heavy as my typical meal.

Today.......
I haven't done much of anything. I slept in a bit, but still woke up really tired and am just now getting past that. I really think it is the drastic change in weather. They were talking snow again. I hope not.

Food today:
Breakfast - 1 hard boiled egg, fresh pineapple, 1 c milk, 1 c herbal tea
AM snack - 1 Tbsp pb (ate breakfast late, but was wanting a little something)
Lunch - soup & crackers
PM snack - veggies, little dip
Supper - probably leftovers from Easter

Goals today:
1. tackle some more things on my desk
2. take a nap if I get too tired - better than snacking mindlessly

Last day of break for the kids. I think I will take it easy today for the most part so that we can have a little fun before they go back.

Hope that you all have a great start to your week.