Lulu201's Back In Action Journal

[lulu201]

Hi, everybody! I'm home from the beach! We had a nice time and now I'm in transition mode--officially leaving vacation behind and getting ready for work and school. I have a load of laundry in the washer and am thinking about some breakfast. . .

I did a lot of reading on vacation, and one book that I've been reading and thinking about is called Thin Within. It's a Christian
"grace" approach to weight loss, and goodness knows, I can use as much grace in my life as possible! I like how it embraces my whole life and is just not "food rules," so I think I'm going to focus my efforts on Thin Within and training for the half during September.

When we came home yesterday, DD's class schedule and events for the upcoming year were in the mail. We might have some conflicts with the half marathon. Initially I was concerned a great deal, but I'm hoping that we can work with the school to get them all worked out. I won't panic. Yet.

I have an earache today. Friday I had a sinus headache; last night my earache began. What a downer. I took some allergy medicine; hopefully it'll dry up whatever's in there causing me this annoyance!

So I'm back, I'm finding the routine, and I'm living the healthy life.
I'm in a nice place.

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

I've missed you!!

So glad to hear the beach trip went well!

Now we're back to Monday, the routine. My routine was altered by the kids starting back to school today. When does your DD go back??

I hope you can resolve the conflicts in DD's schedule so you can do the half but know that if you can't, you'll be with me in spirit.

May you have peace and quiet strength for your day ahead.

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

It's good to have you back. I'm glad you had a good time. I hope the schedule conflict can be resolved. Take care of yourself. Here's some to help you with your transition to the real world.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning!

We've been given a new day, a new opportunity to be good stewards of this wonderful gift of life that God has given us. Treat yourself well today, Erin, for you are a beloved child of God!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Erin!

Welcome back! I'm glad that you had a great time at the beach!
I hope that you are feeling better today. Have a great Tuesday!

Tracy

 

[lulu201]

Hi, everyone. I'm plain old weary today. I want to sit and cry. I'm on my way to school to try to make sense of DDs schedule.

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Dear Erin, I'm hoping some of those blue feelings can be attributed to hormones - aren't you in the D-Zone??

If you'd like a good cry, I'll be happy to pass the tissues. Then a nice quiet nap might help, curled up with dear little Mickey. Top it off with a cup of tea, and hopefully things will be looking a bit brighter.

 

[CheapMom]

Hi LULU-
Here is a little to chase those blues away.
Good luck today,
Mary

 

[lulu201]

Hey, Doreen and Mary. Thanks for your words of support. I'm a drama queen , aren't I?

I wish I could blame it on hormones, Doreen, but I can't--been there, done that for August. The truth is that I'm just overwhelmed with all the back to school stuff--not only for DD, but for our business as well. We're in the midst of getting things organized, hiring a new teacher, planning programs. . .I know it'll all get done, but mentally I'm just not ready for it today.

My healthy living routines are all off, too. I've been questioning the whole point thing in favor of Thin Within, but probably a combination of the two will be more helpful. I haven't been taking my vitamins or drinking enough water or exercising enough, and I'm not going to reach my August goal. That bums me right out. . .

I know I just need a First Rate Attitude Adjustment. I'm going over to Daily Guideposts.com to see if I can catch some more words of inspiration.

Thanks, Mary and Doreen--
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Erin I'm glad to hear your vacation went well. Keep in mind it is hard to come back from Vacation and get completely back into the swing of things. Just tackle one obstacle at a time and don't sweat the small stuff!

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Erin,

The first day back from vacation is always hard. Take some time for yourself, and get yourself centered. Tomorrow will be better. I think a combination of programs would be good to try. You need to find what works for you. If ww's isn't a perfect fit, do the combination.

Take care of yourself. I'll check on you tomorrow.
Beth

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Amanda. Hi, Beth. Thanks for stopping by, girlfriends. I'll be visiting your journals later in the day. . .gotta get organized here first.

It's September 1st. I'm excited about getting "back in action" again. I say "again" without any regrets or dismay--refocusing and hopping back on the ole healthy living road is a positive thing and I feel good about it, not defeated.

This morning I also hopped on the scale and peeked at it with a bit of fear and trepidation: 175. I know, I know, I was rather amazed myself, but if the truth be told, it was the weight I guessed I was at. I feel just awful--all bloated and balloon-like, but I guess that's how one feels when weight is gained so fast. I'm hoping a lot is water, but it's still poundage, whatever it is and it's GOT TO GO! I'm going to weigh in again on Monday and will change my siggie then.

Today is the beginning of a new adventure for me in this journey; today I officially begin a 30 day devotional program called "Thin Within," a Christian approach to healthy living. TW encourages you to know your body and to eat only when truly hungry and to stop when satisified (not "full."). I've been reading the book for the last few weeks to get an understanding of all of this and I've decided that while TW discourages you from following a legalistic system (counting points, calories, carbs, etc.), the WW point system is such a comfortable part of my life I can use it as a tool for healthy eating. With TW you eat whatever you feel drawn to eat; they maintain that your body will naturally seek healthy foods, but if you're truly hungry and choose an ice cream sundae, there's no problem.

My daily goals will show a shift in priorities; each day I'll seek out time with God and will strive to make knowing Him and feeling His presence the center of my life. As I rely on His strength, I hope to learn to deal with my compulsive stress/emotional eating.
Drinking water, exercising, taking my vitamin, logging my food--all will continue to be part of the plan. I'm going to enter the September challenge and try for 1000 exercise minutes again.

So, here I go:

1. Devotions/Prayer
2. Vitamins
3. Water
4. Exercise
5. Food log

I'll be using this journal as usual, but will explore some of the topics from the book as I need to.

Here I go, onward and downward!
Erin:

1.
2.
3. 3 glasses down
4.
5. oatmeal w/cinnamon and nuts, coffee w/milk=5 or close to it
fiesta chicken salad w/what bread at Saladworks=?

Got to school and met with the 9th grade guidance counselor. Will probably have to change some dates on our Florida trip, but I'm still planning on the half marathon!

 

[toystoryduo]

Erin,
I am sending big your way today. I hope today is a wonderful day for you filled with God's love and peace and tons of .

This 30 day devotional that you are beginning today sounds really good! I look forward to seeing how it helps you on your journey.

Have a wonderful day today!

Tracy

 

[DoeWDW]

I hope your 30 day devotional goes well! Sounds like a very interesting book - one I may have to check out!

Hope your day is sunny and bright, filled with peace and love!

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

You sound really centered right now. This program, or your version of it, might be what you need. I'm joining you in the exercise challenge. Have a wonderful afternoon.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, you did a great job yesterday!! Your breakfast and lunch looked good and I'm glad you're resolving things at DD's school.

I bet you're getting back in the groove, back to your comfortable routines.

Onward and downward!!

 

[lulu201]

September 2, 2004

I completed my first healthy living day for September! Last night's dinner was some chicken and broccoli w/fettucini alfredo. I found that once I began dinner I didn't want to stop, but I did and left my meal feeling satisfied, not stuffed.

I met all of my goals for yesterday, and set the same plan for today:

1. Devotions/Prayer
2. Vitamins
3. 6-8 glasses of water
4. Exercise
5. Food log: I haven't had anything to eat yet and it's almost 10:30. I have some rumblings in my stomach now, so I think I'll have a little something. . .an apple with some peanut butter sounds good. I did have my coffee w/milk. Usually I get up and eat out of habit--I know it's supposed to "jump start my metabolism" and "it's the most important meal of the day," but TW challenges you to listen to your body, so that's what I'm doing.

In helping you to know when to stop eating--when to know if you're satisfied--they encourage you to think about the size of your stomach (about the same size as your fist). The thought is that if God made your stomach about the size of your fist, you don't need tons of food to fill it and to feel satiated. Makes sense, doesn't it?

Yesterday when I was at Saladworks I realized I was full about half way through the meal, but I kept eating anyway for no other reason than I'd paid for it! We had shopping to do afterward, so I knew the salad--which already had the dressing on it--would not survive the hot car, so I ate it anyway. Hmmmm, the next time I eat out, I think I'll think about the size of the meal I order and adjust the items I select accordingly.

So, Doreen, you're heading to WDW. . .humph! I think I have to be a little jealous about that. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since we enjoyed the MNSSHP. . . maybe I could come in your suitcase?

I've got to get some things done before work; I'll stop back later tonight if I can to update.

E.

Edit: Just too beat to do anything other than update my foods:

nonfat yogurt, carrot sticks, chicken salad, instant latte--spread throughout the day; oatmeal for dinner at 9:30, frozen capri sun

Ate only when hungry; tried to relax and savor my oatmeal

Walked, had my vitamins, drank as much as I could--another healthy day.

I'll check with everyone tomorrow. Today was too long!!!!
E.

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin!

You know... I never thought of it that way before. Our stomach is the size of a fist and yet how often do we put food in our stomachs that exceeds that limit? Hmmm... That is definitely something I need to think about.

Congratulations on making all of your goals yesterday! Woohoo! It sounds like this new program is a good one!

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

Tracy

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice! (a little music for your day )

 

[septbride2002]

Sorry Erin but I call dibs on the suitcase!

I have that problem to about paying for the meal so I am going to eat it all! I've learned to ask for half orders, although it is tough to do so sometimes.

It sounds like you have a good plan for today and that this program is working well for you.

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

I am glad that the program is working for you. At the very least, it is getting you to listen to your bodsy, which is always a good thing. Good for you stopping aat dinner. That is something I need to do more often.

Have a good afternoon.
Beth