Lulu201's Back In Action Journal

[septbride2002]

Look at all the you are doing so awesome! You are making me want to kick myself in the butt for letting things get as bad as they have been the last few days. Have fun today and don't work to hard!

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

I need to get that quote tattooed to my forhead. It describes me perfectly. I am writing it down and putting it on my fridge.

You are doing an amazing job this month. I understand about the baking. katie asked me to make brownies with her today. I will, but OH the Temptation!

I hope you are having a Sunday,
Beth

 

[lulu201]

It's 11/7. Here's an update:

1. Devotions 6/30
2. Vitamins 5/30 I forgot yesterday. I did remember, however, today.
3. Water 6/30
4. Exercise 5/30 Yesterday was a day off, but I ran around from morning until 8 p.m.
5. Food 4/30 No, not good. With the leftover Monkey Bread in the house, DH and I were both sugar fiends. Today I'm back on track. Breakfast was oatmeal. Lunch as a slice of swiss, soup w/crackers, and 1/2 pb sandwich on lite bread. Too many carbs, I think--I feel like I'm a binge waiting to happen. Knowing I'm back on the "no sugar" wagon, helps, though.

It's a beautiful day here, so I think Mickey and I will take a walk for fun and fresh air. I know my little buddy would really like. Maybe when I come back, I'll take a little snooze in my favorite chair?

I went to church, picked up produce, and have the bedroom torn apart--I just needed to thoroughly clean it and our bathroom. I know tonight when I hunker down to sleep, I'll be glad the bedroom's a peaceful place to be in again. I've got the football game on while I work-- GO EAGLES!

 

[Princess Michelle]

You're doing great Erin! I hope that you have gotten that monkey bread off your back now!

 

[lulu201]

11/8/04 Just a quick check in before I start running around like a chicken . . .

Thanks, Michelle, for stopping in. It took me another day to rid myself of my monkey (I was done with the bread, but still ate yukky yummy things yesterday). Today I KNOW I'm back on track.

Here's how it's looking:

1. Devotions 7/30; just finished today's reading.
2. Vitamins 6/30; will take today's after a quick breakfast
3. Water 7/30; have only had coffee this a.m., but I'll start drinking it up
4. Exercise 6/30; even though it was a day off, the weather was so nice Mickey and I couldn't pass it up. Today's exercise will be in short spurts--have done 10 minutes so far. Am striving for 10000 steps.
5. Food 4/30; oh, man, yesterday was AWFUL! BUT the good news is today is a BRAND NEW DAY and I'm letting yesterday serve as a reminder of how I DON'T want to feel or behave.

I've got to run, but I hope to check back in later. . .
E.

 

[DoeWDW]

I see we had similar weekends. I'm also thankful for a new day and a new beginning and a new commitment to my healthy eating. There are 17 days until Thanksgiving - about 2.5 weeks. I think your "no sugar" goal is a good one! Maybe I'll give it a try too. It will be hard because I've been relying on sugared stuff way too much lately, but I know I'm better off without it. Once again, you've inspired me!

Good for you for working on 10,000 steps!! It's such a simple way to measure how active you are throughout the day.

I hope you have a wonderful and healthy Monday!!

I'll send you a PM later.

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

how did you do on your brand new day, . I would put money on you succeeding. You are definatley right that this is a new day, and a new week. Let's make the most of it.

I hope you can relax a bit tonight.
Beth

 

[lulu201]

11/9/04

Here's how I'm doing:

1. Devotions--8/30; read them this morning.
2. Vitamins--7/30; haven't taken them yet, but I will soon.
3. Water--8/30; have had a few glasses already this a.m.
4. Exercise--6/30; will jump on the treadie in a few minutes. Spent some time on the phone with DMom talking about our holiday plans and now am behind schedule. . .
5. Food--5/30; no binge eating yesterday. I have a solid plan for today. Will continue to avoid sugar

Lots to do this morning before work, so I'm going to get right on it. One of these days soon, I'm going to catch up on everyone's journals!!!!!

Erin

Edit: I'm going to do a little re-write here:

2. Vitamins--6/30 (for some reason, I THOUGHT I took them yesterday, but when I went down to take today's. . .I found yesterday's still in the little box marked "Monday.")

Did my 30 min. on the treadie.

From now until Thanksgiving, the "food" category will only be moved ahead if there is no binge eating AND no sugar. I think I need that bit of motivation to stay on track. Today's breakfast was coffee w/cream and a pb english muffin. Lunch was a banana and a soft pretzel. P.M. snack will be an apple. I notice a definite lack of protein here. . . I better watch this. . .things could get dangerous!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin!

Way to go! You are back on track with your food choices and you already did your Treddie workout today! WOOHOO! You go girl!!!!

Have a wonderful day today!

Tracy

 

[geetey]

WOO HOO, Erin!! That's some determination I read here! Way to go on getting your food plan lined up and already getting your workout in! What a great way to start the day!!

 

[DoeWDW]

Hi, Erin!!

I hope your Tuesday is going well. You sound upbeat and positive. Getting your treadie time in early seems to be working very well for you!

I'm sending you good thoughts!

"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a strong mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

May you feel God's love all around you today.

 

[lulu201]

Thanks, Terry!

Amanda has given me something to think about. . .I have definitely felt my focus turn away from dieting and become more of a "living healthy" goal. I certainly liked being a size 8-10 for a few days last March when I was at WW goal , but I really don't know if it's realistic for me to keep that weight. I think probably my ideal weight is more like 165-170, a size 10-12.

So, tomorrow I'm going to weigh myself. I haven't done that since last Monday. If I'm over what I'd like to be, I'm going to work to lose the amount over 170 (or a portion of it) and then MAINTAIN at that spot. If I'm already there (and I doubt that's the case), I'll just do what I can to stay where I'm at.

It's been almost a year and three months since I started my WISH journey and I'm happy with the long term changes I feel I've made in my life (like Amanda ) and I want to celebrate those changes instead of feeling bad that I'm not waking up at my WW goal every day! I've learned so much about how I deal with food, how I compulsively eat as a reaction to stress, and how abstaining from certain foods and behaviors helps me to feel better about myself. I can never go back, and I'm looking forward to moving forward while looking Upward! Got that?!?

Erin
6/03 200 lbs., size 16-18
8/17/03 Joined WISH at 192
3/04 156-158, size 8-10
11/04 ?? , size 12

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

I definately think you have the right idea. You are much healthier than you were 1.5 years ago. You have lost weight, and even though you have gained some back, you are not at 200 pounds anymore. You exercise on a regular basis, take your vitamins, and drink your water. Going into maintainace, especially with the holidays coming, might take some of the pressure off. You may be able to enjoy your healthy lifestyle more.

I'm really proud of you.

Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin

You have made great progress in the past year on your WISH journey. Way to go Erin! I am proud of you!

Have a great Wednesday!

Tracy

 

[DoeWDW]

It sounds like we're at a similar place on our healthy living journey. We want to make sure to stay at a REASONABLE weight but are focused on our healthy habits. You sound so positive and I think you'll enjoy waking up knowing you're doing your best to stay healthy instead of beating yourself up over a scale number. It's a freeing feeling, don't you think?? Bravo to you!!

With all that said, best wishes for a happy encounter with the scale this morning. I hope you see a number that allows you to be in maintenance mode. More importantly though - how are your clothes fitting? If you're comfortable in your clothes, then you get to maintain, right? You may want to monitor your measurements along with your weight.

Have a happy Wednesday, dear Erin!

 

[lulu201]

Gosh, I love you guys. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. . .for being proud of me. I feel my eyes filling up even as I write this. I know that you all truly understand and that means so much.

Here are the stats as of yesterday:

1. Devotions 9/30; I read mine this morning and also found a great article on the Christian Women Today website on living a more centered life. Thanks, Doreen, for sharing that website with us!

2. Vitamins: 7/30; had them this a.m., too!

3. Water: 9/30; I've had a couple of glasses this morning.

4. Exercise: 8/30; put in my 30 minutes on the treadie today, too.

5. Food: 6/30 No binge eating or sugar

OK, I've been reading everyone's journals and thinking this over, and after my encounter with the scale this morning (which says I'm at 175), I've decided to strive to lose 10 lbs. Now, I know what I said yesterday about only trying to lose those lbs. over 170, but I really feel like this is the right thing. My goal is to lose these 10 lbs. by Christmas--as my gift to myself. I'm NOT comfortable in my clothes and I want to feel more confident. I'm not aspiring to hit my WW goal again--maybe someday?--but I know that 165 is good place for me to be.

In order to lose that 10 lbs., I going to follow a Christian WW program , a combination of Thin Within and WW points. That might sound contradictory, but I'm going to rely on God to guide me on this journey and count points to give me a guideline. I may drop the points as I become more confident.

I know the holidays are not the best time in the world to be on a weight loss program, but I feel peaceful about this. At this time of the year I can gain A LOT of weight (like I haven't gained a lot back already? ), and I don't want to struggle blindly or in an out of control way, watching my weight climb up because I don't have a concrete plan. The restrictions and boundaries I put on my eating will HELP me be less stressed during a hectic time, I think, particularly because I have a lot of other healthy behaviors (like the exercise, water, vitamins) in a routine.

I also know that on The Roller Coaster I Call My Life what seems easy and sensible today can be a huge struggle tomorrow, so I'm just going to take this all day by day and try my best. I'm going to put some numbers back in my siggie and I'm going to keep better track of my food intake here in my journal.

After losing those 10 lbs., my plan is to work to maintain that weight for three months. After three months (the end of March), I'll evaluate how I'm doing and see where I want to go from there.

So, what do you all think? Do you think this sounds reasonable? Your opinions mean a lot to me, because you know the journey as well as I do. I'm listening. . .

Erin

Edit: b=2 slices of light bread (1) w/ 2 TBSP. PB (4), 1/4 of a banana (.5) and coffee w/cream (1)=6.5
l=McDonald's salad and diet soda (10)
s=apple and cheese crackers (5)
d=soup and s.f. diet pudding for dessert

Drinking lots of water this p.m.

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning Erin - I think your goal is a good one. It is all about what you are comfortable with. That was the big realization to me yesterday - I'm comfortable where I am right now. My clothes fit like I feel they should - I feel thin, and I'm not living without things to be here. I think for me to truly get down to a size 10 would take me eating salads for every meal and that just isn't satisfying. 165 is a good goal - you've been there before you know you can reach it again. Just keep that positive attitude and you will be there before you know it.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

I like the idea of 165 - a reasonable goal for you in your mind. It is an achievable weight that you feel comfortable at. I think it is a great long term goal. However......

I don't mean to be negative, but there are only 6.5 weeks until Christmas, and lots of holiday festivities and busyness will be packed into those 6.5 weeks. With your schedule at work, church, helping Liz with schoolwork, Christmas preparations, etc. I just wonder if 10 pounds in 6.5 weeks is a reasonable expectation.

I know you could do it if monitoring your food and exercise were your main focus, but with so many other things needing your attention, I worry that your goal might be a smidge too ambitious.

Only you know how you'll handle the hectic schedule coming up, but I know that I tend to get so busy that food prep and shopping often take a back seat and I don't have the good food around me that I need to actively lose weight.

Follow your heart, dear WISH-sis. If you are comfortable that 10 pounds in 6.5 weeks is something that you can accomplish, then go for it! You know I'll be here to support you, no matter what.

 

[lulu201]

Hmmm. You have a very good point, Doreen. I think that I'm going to see how it goes for a week and if I decide next Wednesday that 10 lbs. doesn't feel right, I'll adjust my goal.
It's a woman's perogative to change her mind, right?

Thanks for your input, Amanda and Doreen. I appreciate it.

Also, read an article in this month's Prevention magazine this month which talked about the scale being a "friend." I know, it's radical, but it said that 38% of the people who lost weight and KEPT it off, weighed themselves EVERY day. I'm going to weigh in every day until Christmas, no matter what. It will be goal #6 on my list of dailies. The article said that people get used to the little ups and downs and that it really effects eating behaviors. We'll see.

That's all for now. . .
ERin

 

[lulu201]

I've got a busy and early morning tomorrow. If I'm going to get my walk in, I'm going to have to do it at 5:30! Figure I'll post my stats now and won't bother with it again until tomorrow night.

1. Devotions: 10/30
2. Vitamins: 8/30
3. Water: 10/30
4. Exercise: 8/30 (this morning's stat was wrong)
5. Food: 7/30 No binge eating or sugar, stayed on plan
6. Scale: 2/30 will weigh in once a day as a way of helping myself stay focused. I'm willing to ride the ups and downs.

I'm happy with my 6 Step Approach to Weight Loss and don't feel overwhelmed with the thought of staying with this program. Check with me as the week goes by, though, 'cause I'm beginning to enter the dark side of the DZone. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow's food is pretty much going to be the same as today's--just a different lunch. Haven't decided that yet. . .

Erin