Lulu201's Back In Action Journal

[DoeWDW]

I love MeMe's Tough Pirate!! If you want Tough Love, dear Erin, that's just what you'll get! I'm not always real good with the Tough part, but I can tell ya I've got the Love part down pat!

You CAN do this! You've proven it time and time again. You know yourself well and you see that scale creeping upward. You know that is NOT where you want to go and you're BOLDLY turning around and heading in the other direction! I can see you walking, no RUNNING, with purpose in your strides! You go, girlfriend!!

I'm hoping your 4 miles on the treadie are a time for building yourself up, for feeling strong and active, for proactively exercising to keep the weight from creeping back on. There will be no time here for guilt and self-recrimination - the facts are the facts and we need to move forward!

By Easter, I'm betting that dress is all yours again!!

 

[septbride2002]

Wow! You go girl! Ya know what - we all would love to be thinner and still be able to eat whatever we want and when we want it. Unfortunantly not all are built that way and in order to maintain we have to vigilant. Have you read the Harry Potter books? There is a character - Mad Eyed Moody who screams at the students, "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" all the time. That is what we need to be.

You asked for tough love and you are going to get it. Have you completed the 4 miles on the treadmill yet? Your menu looks great - good idea about buying the skinny cows so that you can enjoy a snack in the evening.

I know you can do it! You've done it before and you will do it again! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

~Amanda

 

[geetey]

Wow, Erin, I can FEEL the determination in your post through the computer! You GO Girl!!

We will gather around you and help you on your way.

Do you have all of your WW info?
Do you need links to any web sites like Dotti's? Fitday.com?

I feel the resolve in your post and I know you are going to success. If not, a swift kick in the pants to get you back on your way. Okay, so I am better at the Tough part and not the Love part. Doe and I can be partners.

You can do it, Erin, and you will!!!

 

[lulu201]

It's the end of the day and I feel--because of God's help and group of angel WISH buddies He's put into my life--like it was MINE. The love and support of Doreen, MeMe, Terry, and Amanda meant the world to me today. I honestly could feel you lifting me up and helping me to move forward. I feel like I turned a corner today.

Here's how it turned out:

1. Devotions 3/31
2. Vitamins 3/31
3. Water--still drinking
4. Exercise Four wonderful miles on the treadie today. I felt empowered and strong. I walked 64 minutes--longer than I have in a long time.
5. Food My Target Points were 24. I had yogurt, some sliced almonds, and two cups of coffee for a total of 5 points at breakfast. I had soup and crackers for 6 points at lunch. In the afternoon I had another coffee for 1 point and an orange for 1 point. At dinner I had 13 points--a combination of steamed shrimp, mushrooms, and chicken and broccoli. After my workout I enjoyed my Skinny Cow at 2 P. Total for day 28 points-the 4 Activity Points I earned-the 24 I had allotted for the day=0. No flex used.

Why is it that I sometimes resist this structure so much when its constraints release me from the constant worry and pain of overeating and compulsive behaviors and the sadness I have when I look at the scale? I know how to do this: One Day at a Time.

I'm glad I had today.

I'm afraid to set goals, to state my dreams out loud, but hey, after all the yelling I did this morning, I might as well be bold! Today I weighed in at 178 . My long term goal weight is 158; my short term goal for the New Year's Challenge is 173. I'm putting the numbers back in my siggie. My exercise goal for the month is 1000 minutes/50 miles. When I lose 5 lbs. I'm going to put my clippie in my siggie. When I hit 158 I'm going to wear that beautiful goal clippie.

I have no illusions. I know how hard this is going to be. I know that to choose this diet for my way of eating is difficult. So be it. I've come too far since joining WISH on August 17, 2003, to go back to where I was before. I may have to come to this journal every day and yell and scream my frustrations out, but I'll just have to do it. I'm worth it.

I'm going to adjust my siggie and then head out to pick up DD from a party. Guess I'll sling back a few glasses of water while I'm at it. Gotta get that other smilie before I hit the hay.

Thanks, girls. For everything.
Erin

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Hey there girlie - great job today! You did awesome! As much as we fight structure it really does help us to reach our goals. After the new year I know I will be back to counting up to 30 carbs per day. I'm not as brave as you though and won't commit until after the holidays. I know the thoughts of Christmas treats will get to me.

Great job on the walking ! I meant to do mine as well but ended up falling fast asleep on the couch and then woke up and started packing.

My thoughts are going to be with you everyday while I'm gone. I know you can do this!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful day! You did a FANTASTIC job yesterday, Erin!! I'm so proud of you! You can take back your life and your weight one day at a time!

Let yesterday's wonderful uplifting feelings of success carry you through today! You can do this!!

Go Erin!!

 

[lulu201]

Today is December 4, 2004

Hey, everyone! I finished yesterday with 6 ! Yay!

Here's how it's going today:

1. Devotions 4/31
2. Vitamins not yet. I always have a problem with this on the weekend.
3. Water 3-4 glasses, so far
4. Exercise Three miles this morning before work. 2/31. I'm 110/1000 minutes and 7/50 miles.
5. Food I have 24 TP and 3 AP to use for a total of 27, plus 35 flex in the bank. Breakfast was yogurt with kashi cereal and coffee=4. Snack around 11:30 was an apple (on the large side), will count it as 2. Lunch is going to be soup and crackers (4) or tuna (3.5) and crackers (2). I'd better decide soon 'cause I'm getting very hungry. Dinner will be homemade pizza and salad. I'll figure out the points on that while I'm having lunch. Dessert will be my Skinny Cow. As a side note: I made a mistake on the points for my soup and crackers yesterday. I said 6 and it's really 4. That means I finished yesterday at 26 points, not 28!
6. Scale 4/31 I had a bit of a whoosh and was 3 lbs. lighter this morning. Thanks, Whoosh Fairy, for the encouragment!

So I had devotions this morning, worked out, and then did some teaching this a.m. Came home, picked up DD and headed to Kohl's and Old Navy for a little shopping. After lunch, DD and I will begin to tackle our annual tradition: our gingerbread house. We always have fun doing a small, pre-fab kit. BUT NOT THIS YEAR! Oh, no, ladies. This year we're doing a kit called the "ULTIMATE" gingerbread house! Wish us luck. We're gonna need it.

OK, I'm off into the day. Moving downward and looking Upward--
Erin

PS: Thanks, Doreen, for the flowers.

Edit: It was a 6 smilie day! Unfortunately, I figured the points out wrong on my pizza (2 slices), but fortunately, I realized the mistake. Ended up with 10 for breakfast and lunch and 23.5 for dinner and dessert! That was OK. I had 27 points, so I used 6.5 from the flex bank. I've already started working on tomorrow's plan, so I know I won't have to use the flex bank.

Here's my menu:

Breakfast: yogurt and kashi and coffee=4
coffee at church=1
snack of an orange=1
lunch around 3 p.m. will be 5 oz. of chicken parmesan=5
1 cup pasta=4
1/2 cup sauce=2
late dinner around 7:30 will be 3 oz. tuna, 1 tsp. lite mayo, and 6
crackers=5.5
Skinny Cow=2
Total for day will be 24.5

I'm trying to be OK with all this planning; I've rebelled against it for quite awhile. It does work, however, and I hope will become natural again as time goes by. Right now I'm especially thankful that I haven't had carb cravings for sweets or chips. Keeping my foods fairly simple is the key right now. Maybe I'll eventually learn how to put foods into fitday and figure out the points.

We have the gingerbread house put together. Tomorrow we'll start the decorating. We're having a good time with it.

I thank God for making it through another day!

Erin

 

[jodistar]

Good Job Erin - Keep up the excellent work!

 

[lulu201]

Hey, it's December 5, 2004 Less than 3 weeks 'til Christmas!

This will be pretty short; I've got to get myself ready for church. I'm singing a solo this morning--a lovely, contemporary piece called "Emmanual." It's all about the beauty of the Baby's birth--how the world has been so desperately waiting and finally He comes. . .God with us at last.

1. Devotions 5/31
2. Vitamins-- 5/31
3. Water-- 4/31
4. Exercise-- 4 miles makes me 11/50 and 62 minutes makes me 72/1000.
5. Food--breakfast as per yesterday's plan=4, snack change--veggies w/dip instead of an orange. oh, and a pickle, too=2, coffee at church =1. 1 point for 2 starlight mints I ate while making the gingerbread house. Chicken parm dinner was 8 + 2+ 4. An orange was 1. Total so far is 23; 27 to use. I'm going to have dessert in a minute. Won't go over 4.
6. Scale--holding steady at 175. 5/31

I'll just edit the above as the day goes on. . .

Today will be busy. First I've got early church at 9:30; DH and DD will come for the next service since DD is singing then. Afterwards I'll head out and pick up our fruits and veggies and then go to the grocery store for some coconut for the GBread house. In the afternoon, work will resume on the gbread house and I'll start the laundry. We're eating early today because DD has to go to a friend's house around 4:30 to work on a school project and then has choir rehearsal at church from 5:30 to 7:00. Sometime before I go to bed I'll be walking those 4 miles. Why? Because I'm afraid of my WISH buddies' Tough Love! I know if I don't do it, there will be heck to pay, especially with Doreen and Terry! OK, it's really just Terry. She's got me scared.

Has anyone started their Christmas cards yet? Not me. Maybe this week?

Moving downward, looking Upward,
Day by precious Day,
Erin

 

[Auntmeme]

Good Sunday Morning! Looks like you are doing well, I'm so happy for you. I unfortunately willnot make my goal of 20 miles, unless I do 13 today. You sound like this is a better place for you, yeah! I wish I could hear you sing, a solo non the less, also impressive! Keep it up to go down!

 

[DoeWDW]

You don't sound like you need any Tough Love yet!! You're doing just great all on your own. But we're watching....... Did you walk those miles yet????

I also would love to hear you sing! Hmmmm, maybe a Sunday morning WISH meet at Erin's church is in order? The song you're singing today sounds wonderful!

Best wishes on the gingerbread house! Do we get to see pics when you're finished??

Have a blessed Sunday, my friend!

 

[lulu201]

12/6/04

OK, let me focus for a minute here.
So far this month:

1. Devotions 5/31
2. Vitamins 5/31
3. Water 4/31
4. Exercise 3/31
5. Food 5/31; as of 12/3, I only add a smilie to this category if I stay on my WW program.
6. Scale 5/31

The day is shaping up like this: Devotions this morning focused on patience. Boy, was it important to remember that patience is "active." Quite appropriate for dieting and for choosing to live a healthy lifestyle. In the day to day we don't always see the benefits of our choice; we have to be patient!

I'll take my vitamins after breakfast. I'm meeting a friend at a diner half-way between our homes; can't take the vitamins 'til after that. In the meantime, I want to start drinking lots of water.

After I take DD to school, I'll come home and do a quick two miles on the treadie. That's all I have time for today.

26 points to work with. Late breakfast will be approx. 8, late lunch will be 14 (leftover chicken parm), 2 points for fruit or veggies, 2 points for s.f. choc. pudding.

Yesterday was a great day. Even DH got into the gingerbread house. . .it's too cute for words. To me, spending time together like that is what the holiday season is all about. It's not just that one day, but all the events and music of the whole month. This week DD has a concert at school; I can't wait!

I have a busy day planned, but I'll pop around to journals here and there.

Looking Upward and (finally) moving downward!
Erin

Oops! Just remembered that at 174, my points go down to 22T, 2 AP=24.
Guess it's worth it to say good-bye to a lb. Walked my two miles in 30 minutes. Glad to cross that off the list. Gotta go, but I'll be around later.

Edit again:

1. Devotions, 6/31
2. Vitamins--6/31
3. Water--5/31
4. Exercise--2 miles=13/50 and 30 added onto my total 4/31
5. Food--coffee at home (1), tea and a bagel w/cr. cheese and 2 tsp. orange marmalade (8). Lunch change. It's now going to be chicken on salad (9). 6 points left. Had 2 teeny-weeny clementines for a snack (1). Soup and crackers for dinner (4). Pudding for dessert (2). Total for day: 22T, 2 AP, 1 Flex. Total left in flex=27.5 6/31
6. Scale--6/31

It ended up being quite a healthy day. Making it through the breakfast out was a victory for me!

 

[DoeWDW]

Your devotion topic sounds like something I need to hear too! Patience - sometimes a tough one for me.

Your gingerbread house project sounds like it was a lot of fun - a real family bonding time during the holidays and not just another "gotta get done" thing. DH, DD and I bonded while putting up the Christmas lights on the outside of the house yesterday.

Have a wonderful day, dear Erin!

 

[geetey]

Are you talking about me??

Hey, you said you wanted some tough love! So...

Get to that planning! Plot out those points!! Stay on your plan!!! Drink that water!!

Don't forget your miles on the treadmill either!

Seriously, Erin. You are doing SO well! I am so proud of you and how dedicated to plan you are! You are doing GREAT!!! Keep it up! I am watching! hee hee

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

I would love to hear you sing. I found out that our church is having Wednesday masses during advent, so I can take Katie. I miss attending services, especially at the holidays.

You are doing an amazing job this month. I am so IMPRESSED eith your rededication. Your numbers are so impressive already this month. Keep up the AMAZING! work.

I'd love to see a pic of the gingerbread house.

Take care,
Beth

 

[Princess Michelle]

Erin, you are doing fantastic! This is the first time I've been to your journal this month and I'm so impressed with your totals. Be proud of yourself, you are doing great!

 

[lulu201]

Aw, gee, now I've got be scared of Terry's whip! You cracked me up, Terry. Thanks for the good chuckle. Also, much love to my other WISH buddies for coming over and cheering me on. I need it and appreciate it A LOT!

Today's Dec. 7, 2004, and I'm ready to walk another day on the straight and narrow. Right now I'm loving this plan--which is a good thing because I'm heading straight into the Danger Zone and in a few days I'm going to be hanging by my fingernails to this plan, just trying to stay on track. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, everyone. I feel your support helping me to keep on keeping on.

The plan for today looks like this:

1. Devotions 7/31 Today's message was about how God will always keep lifting us up and setting us on the right path, no matter how much we stumble. Hmmm, a bit appropriate for a yo-yo dieter like myself, don't 'cha think?
2. Vitamins--7/31
3. Water-- 6/31
4. Exercise--2 miles, 30 minutes. 5/31
5. Food--yogurt w/kashi (3), coffee (1). Lunch will be tuna w/crackers, a little lite mayo and olives (6). Dinner at Saladworks was 14, but I splurged and had a roll and butter with it, so that added another 5. I had 4 for dessert. Grand total: 33/18.5 left in flex 7/31
6. Scale--7/31

A couple of weeks ago I was watching Oprah--something I don't get to often do because I'm working at that time of day. Anyway, she had Robert Downey, Jr. on and he was talking about his addictive behaviors. He said that an addiction is anything that we feel we probably should control in our lives. That leaves a lot of stuff out there, doesn't it? Shopping, FOOD, etc.
That made me think a little bit. Then Oprah asked him if it was hard to stay sober and "on the wagon." He said, no; rather, the hardest part was making the DECISION to stop his destructive behavior. Once he'd decided what he wanted, he could focus and get on track. That made me think, too.

OK, I'm off and into this brand new rainy Tuesday. I've got to pack my lunch, sew a button on DDs coat and write her an after school love note, make the bed, load the dishwasher, exercise and get to work. Better start moving, eh?

Looking Upward and Moving Downward,
Erin

"I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

 

[lulu201]

Want to quickly post this before I get DD to school:

12/8/04

1. Devotions-- 8/31
2. Vitamins-- 8/31
3. Water-- 7/31
4. Exercise--5/31
5. Food--Total of 26 points, 14.5 left in bank 8/31
6. Scale-- 8/31

I'm hanging in there, though I did have some thoughts last night of comfort eating. Prayer helped.

I'll try to get back here to update, but it's a long, heavily scheduled day.
We'll see.
E.

 

[DoeWDW]

Best wishes for a wonderful day and for walking the straight and narrow. It sounds like a tough road to walk, but we're making it wider by walking together!

I enjoyed the thoughts of Robert Downey, Jr. - the idea that breaking the addiction isn't tough once you have firmly decided that you WANT to break the addiction. Boy, does that idea hit home! I haven't truly committed to the decision to give up on my addictive eating behaviors, and I know it. I'll be giving this more thought - thanks!

Enjoy your day!

 

[Strings]

Hello Oh Profound One,

Erin, you always give me something to think about. Thank you. That one will take some work.

I continue to be amazed by your stats this month. You are inspiring me to get off my lazy behind, maybe.

I hope your incredibly busy day goes smoothly. I'm thinking about you.
Beth