Lulu201's Back In Action Journal

[Strings]

CONGRATULATIONS ERIN!!! :thewave:

2 weeks free from compulsive eating is a HUGE accomplishment. I am so proud of you, Erin. You are definatley walking the walk.

I love the prayer for leftovers. Ok, that isn't how you or the book put it, but it works. That will definately help me leave food on my plate. Thank you for sharing.

I'm glad your mom will be ok without intervention. Hope you have a stress-free day of classes ahead.
Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Do I hear a celebration going on right here? Way to go Erin!!!! I am so proud of you!!!

I love what you said today about praying over the food left on your plate. That is such a great idea. Thank you!

Have a wonderful day!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

"As we reach our comfortable hunger level and stop at that 5, "Lord, I give back to You the rest of the food on my plate. Thank You for such abundance. I pray that others who lack might experience Your provisions."

I love this! I always feel so wasteful when I don't finish everything on my plate - I am going to copy this and send it home so that I can stick it on my fridge.

Have a great day today Erin!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Hey, Everybody! I'm Day #16 on Thin Within; today is 9/16/04

I am BEAT this morning. Yesterday was my first marathon day of the new school year--9:30 to 8:45 p.m. and today I'm feeling like a dishrag. I'm off this morning because DD is home for the Jewish holiday (most schools are closed), so I'm taking it easy. I didn't get up 'til 8:15, I'm still in my jammies, just had my coffee, and am treating myself like a . I thought yesterday I'd get up and walk an hour and do all kinds of chores, but life today is quite the contrary. I like to think of it as my Mental Health Morning. I'll be at work around 12:30 and teach straight through until 7. . .that's enough for today. Next Thursday I'll be at my little preschool and will teach music there, so it'll be another marathon day. . .that's why I have to be a today!

I haven't read my devotional yet either, but will do that soon. Glad you guys liked yesterday's "leftover prayer."

Today the plan is the same as yesterday:

1. Devotional
2. Vitamins
3. Water
4. Exercise--ummm, I'm bagging this one.
5. Food--? Nothing yet, but I'm starting to get a rumble.

I'll try to check back in later. . .
Erin

Edit:

Today's lesson was about reviewing where I started and how far I've come so far this month. So, with that in mind, I got on the scale. I'm seeing results: I've "released" (in TW they feel that say "lost" means you hope to find it again ) 5 pounds. They suggest that if you're not seeing the results you've hoped for, you need to sit and take a hard look at your behaviors and then work to improve them. That's it--no guilt, no condemnation, just work on it in God's grace.

It was funny because I got on the scale at 11 a.m. Now as a
former WWer, I have lots of experience with the ole weigh in and I usually will only get on the scale as soon as I get up (AFTER the bathroom break, of course, 'cause you might lose a few oz. there) and I always am terrified by the number. Getting on the scale at
11 a.m. was huge for me! Today it felt different, so I knew it was OK to get on--I could accept whatever it said because it was only a number and only one indicator of the progress I've made.

So I finished the devotional, had some more water and my vitamins, and ate an English muffin w/pb. I don't think I'm going to be too hungry today--just too wiped out, but if I need something to eat at the studio I have some healthy yummy stuff to choose from.

 

[Strings]

Erin,

You have come a long way in a very short time. You seem to have gotten over the scale number thing. Congratulations. Congrats also on the 5 pounds you have lost. That is awesome girlfriend.

I am glad you are treating yourself like a today. We should spend at least a few minutes every week doing so. Pamper yourself while you can.

I hope all goes well at school today,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

A weekday morning spent in your jammies - good for you!! You're treating yourself right, finding those rare instances when you can take a break!

"Please release me, let me go...
Glad to hear you've released those 5 pounds! Congratulations on approaching the scale with a healthy attitude! Now THAT'S progress!


Buh-bye pounds!

Enjoy your students today!!

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Doreen and Beth! Thanks for stopping by. Doreen, I just love your singing and I feel so honored that you chose to serenade me yesterday with THE PERFECT SONG! You had me and all day!



Today is September 17, 2004 Day #17 on Thin Within

This morning's lesson was about being grateful in all things--for the challenges as well as the successes that life brings. Having an attitude of gratitude is essential to our well-being. Ain't it the truth?

Keeping that in mind, I have to mention how grateful I am to all my friends on the WISH. You've all taught me so much this past year and we've shared so many of each other's victories and struggles. You mean so much to me. You are such blessings in my life.

The plan for today:

1. Devotions
2. Vitamins
3. Water Have started, but need to drink lots more
4. Exercise Walked 5.72 miles this morning with MeMe. Thanks, MeMe, for the fun time and good conversation. Sure makes the time pass quicker!
5. Food: Had a delightful (it really was!) breakfast of kashi cereal, a few walnuts, banana, milk, and coffee. I think the carbs helped get me going!

I've got some things I need to do around the house today before I go to work, so I'd better get trucking along.

Take care, everyone, and have a fun weekend!
Erin

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

The program is at sidestep.com. it is a free download that is safe, Won checked it out before I could download it. What it does is checks all airlines for the dates you want. It wall also check more than one airport too. It idsplays all the airfares (taxes included). Then you can just head over to the lowest airlines webpage. It is great.

Have a great weekend. Great walk today.
Beth

 

[Auntmeme]

Good morning again

THANK YOU for the wonderful walk! fantastic we are finished and it's not even noon Let me know when you want to walk again, I'm there.

I still want to hear about thin within, we haven't even touched on the subject. Sounds like it works for you- yeah

Have a fabu weekend

 

[lulu201]

Today is Saturday, September 18, 2004

It's rainy and kind of stormy here this morning. Wish I were still in bed all cozy and warm, but all in all, I can't complain. It's an easy teaching morning. DH and DD will be coming to work, too, and afterwards we'll probably head to lunch and will run some errands.

Thanks MeMe and Beth for stopping by. I'm going to check out that website, Beth. Thanks for your help.

Yesterday I stayed on plan (no binge eating), but I know that I ate over a 5 at dinner. Also, I've found myself nibbling a bit while standing and preparing meals--that's a behavior I want to avoid.
Today I hope to be more aware of my food and less "reactive." I don't like the feeling of eating as a reaction to the stress of a long day.

Today's lesson was about "godly boundaries," and how we need to realize we can't be all things to all people and we can't do a hundred zillion activities! It's wise to discern what helps fulfill the purpose for our lives; prayer can help in that area.

We can also think about having boundaries around our food choices. TW suggests labeling food as a "pleaser, a teaser, or a reject." We should seek to eat pleasers when we're hungry--food that is appealing to our appetite and to our senses, food which is satisfying (usually in smaller quantities--like filet mignon?) and often helpful to our body (and yes, cheesecake is in that category! ). Teaser food is yummy tasting food that we eat in a mindless kind of way, food that never really satisfies so we tend to eat large quantities, seeking satisfaction that really isn't there (my pretzels and popcorn come to mind here ). Rejects are foods so poor in quality and levels of satisfaction that it makes you wonder why anyone would bother (the kind of foods I might eat as I'm grazing through the kitchen). TW suggests that when we eat we eat the pleasers and forget about the teasers and rejects!

Plan for today:

1. Devotional
2. Vitamins
3. Water
4. Exercise--hmmm, maybe some treadie time?
5. Food--no breakfast yet, not hungry from dinner last night.

I'm moving onward and looking Upward--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, I love the idea of pleasers, teasers and rejects! This is an idea I've toyed with for a long time, but I didn't have a catchy way to refer to it! Now it can stay clearly in my mind!

You sound centered and focused. You've certainly been learning a lot with TW this month - I think it has been time well-spent.

By the way, I'm so glad cheesecake is a pleaser!! Don't think I could give it up!

Thanks for your love and support - it means a lot to me!

Have a wonderful day, WISH-sis!

 

[Princess Michelle]

Hi Erin, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

 

[lulu201]

September 19, 2004 Day #19 on Thin Within

How appropriate that today's lesson is all about forgiveness. I need it this morning! Unfortunately, I had a bad time--at the time it didn't seem so bad --with some popcorn and candy last night. It was my first binge battle in 2 and 1/2 weeks. I ate because I wanted to, pure and simple. I wasn't a single bit hungry. It all started with some popcorn--which wouldn't have been so bad if that's where it ended, but it didn't.

Looking back this morning, the quantity of food I consumed doesn't really compare to a binge from a few weeks ago, but that's not a victory, if you know what I mean. The empty yet bloated feeling I have today is reminding me of why I seek to stop this kind of behavior--I get absolutely nothing out of it! I'm so much happier abstaining from that kind of eating.

But I'm not perfect and I know that overeating will never be GONE from my life--I mean, come on, who NEVER overeats? So it's important for me to see this for what it was and move on. Today is a chance for me to break another link in the chain of behaviors that keep me a dieter: today I can get back in the swing of 0-5 eating immediately and not turn this one event into the first of a SERIES of events that leads my weight spiralling upward and my self-esteem spiralling downward.

I didn't treat myself well, but with God's grace and strength I'm back on track!

I'm moving onward and looking Upward!

Today's plan:

1. devotional--I've read today's lesson, but may come back to it later.
2. vitamins--yesterday was the first day I didn't take them this month.
3. water--didn't drink nearly enough.
4. exercise--today I'm going to get out there and walk in this cool, crisp air
5. food--no teasers, just pleasers!

DH is going up to his parents to help clean up some flooding that they had in their basement. DD and I will straighten up around here. She'll get homework done, I'll do lesson plans and laundry, and then she'll get to choir at 6 p.m.

That's our Sunday in a nutshell! Hugs for all my WISH friends!
Erin

 

[Princess Michelle]

Erin, you have the right attitude! Don't let that little mishap from yesterday continue to bring you down today, let it go and refocus that mind on treating yourself well today! We are willful creatures and sometimes that will is so hard to fight, I keep trying to focus mine on doing things that are good for me and then there is no reason to fight it. Sure makes things easier! I just wish it wasn't such a struggle to do that but maybe if it were easy there would be no satisfaction in knowing I was making progress and defeating bad habits. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day being good to you!

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

Do you realize how far you've come? I do. Your binge was smallwer, and today you aren't beating yourself up about it. I am so proud of you. I'm sending today to help you back on track today, Take care of yourself and have a wonderful Sunday,
Beth

 

[lulu201]

Good morning! It's Monday, September 20, 2004--Day #20 following the Thin Within program

Hi, Michelle! Hi, Beth! Thanks for stopping by yesterday and giving me your thoughts on my little detour off the healthy living trail. Your insights helped lift my spirits.

Today's lesson was again about forgiveness--this time, though, it concerned forgiving others who have wronged us. According to TW, compulsive eating is sometimes a result of trying to stuff down emotions that need to be released, and forgiving others can help release a lot of pain.

I got back on track yesterday. I'm looking forward to an even healthier day today, though. Yesterday I didn't get in any walking; today I'll walk at least an hour. It's cool and sunny here--perfect weather for a noon time stroll.

There are lots of things on the ole "to do" list, so I guess I'll motor on. You know how I'm going to do it:

Moving onward and looking Upward,
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning Erin - I love coming to your journals and reading about your daily devotions. It just makes me smile. I hope you have a great day today and avoid the tearsers and rejects!

~Amanda

 

[Princess Michelle]

I hope you are having a wonderful Monday, Erin!

 

[lulu201]

September 21, 2004 Day #21 on Thin Within

Well, I got through yesterday, but could have done better with stopping at 5. I didn't binge and I pretty much ate when I was hungry, but I think my portions could've been smaller. I'll try for that today.

Today's lesson was on authenticity and being the person God has meant us to be--trusting in Him, giving ourselves to Him, and knowing that He has only good intended for us. The narrow road gives us peace. The suggestion was made to keep a gratitude journal--something I've done off and of for several years--so I guess it's time to get mine out, dust it off, and celebrate the abundance of love and goodness around me.

Yesterday I didn't exercise and while I hope to get it in today, I might not. It's safe to say that I feel like I'm swimming with my head just above water--lots of work-related projects and special events combined with family obligations looming large on the horizon and I'm frazzled. "Just keep cruising, just keep cruising" . I know the exercise could help me (especially from my vantage point here in the Danger Zone), but it seems like one thing on the to-do list that I have an ability to eliminate if I need to. I know, I know: baby steps!

The plan:

1. Devotional-
2. Gotta take vitamins
3. Gotta drink water
4. Maybe will exercise
5. Will definitely eat food! I'll try to eat only when hungry and will stop when I'm satisfied. So far: 1 banana, about 1/2 cup kashi, a few almonds and walnuts, milk, coffee.

Moving onward, looking Upward,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Our busy lives continue.....always so much to do. I'm sending some extra your way. Know that whatever NEEDS to get done, will get done. Whenever possible, keep it simple.

Your journal entries regarding TW continue to inspire me, to help me think about my journey in new ways. Thank you for sharing!

Hope your day is filled with and love!