Lulu201's Back In Action Journal

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, Erin!

Looks like we're getting back into the groove! I picked up healthy foods at the grocery store yesterday and am eating better today! I won't say "no sugar" but I won't be binging either. I WILL be watching my portion sizes very closely and eating until satisfied, instead of stuffed. I keep that image of my - sized tummy in mind.

I've been using Elizabeth George's method of prioritizing my day's activities and am finding it so helpful to me. I hope you're finding the same thing. I finally feel like I have my priorities in order and am putting them into action instead of just paying them lip service.

I'm impressed that you've got all your decorating finished for Christmas! I only strung lights on one bush outside and it gave me such a happy feeling - I can't imagine having the whole house done inside and out! Bravo!!

I hope your Monday is filled with God's peace!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin!

I bet that your house looks wonderful decorated for Christmas! This is one of my favorite times of the year.

Didn't you love the last chapter on how to prioritize your day? I have only done this a couple of times (I have to learn how to make prioritizing my day a priority. ) , but when I have done it, my day has gone by much smoother.

Have a wonderful Monday, Erin!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning Erin! Have a great day today - enjoy your walking and your healthy eating!

~Amanda

 

[geetey]

The house all decorated?!?!? AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That must fill your heart with Christmas cheer.

 

[Strings]

You holiday decorating is done!?! You are one amazing woman. I bet it looks amazing.

I hope your day of healthy eating and exercise went as planned. Enjoy your evening in the glow of Christmas lights.
Beth

 

[lulu201]

Hee hee, you guys make me smile. Thanks for sharing my decorating joy!

Let's see now, it's Tuesday, 11/30. The end of the month! Final stats will be up tomorrow, but let's see how I made out so far (as of yesterday):

1. Devotions are at 27/30. Did them this morning.
2. Vitamins are at 18/30. Took them this morning.
3. Water is at 23/30. Am on my second glass right now.
4. Exercise is at 13/30. Walked 2 miles yesterday. Hope to get on that treadie today.
5. Food is at 15/30. Stayed on track yesterday. Wrote it all down. Have a plan for today.
6. Scale is at 9/30. Can't bring myself to get on it. Tomorrow, for sure.

Overall, not too bad. I'm looking at that glass as being half full, of course.

Today is filled with lots to do. Aren't all of our days like that, girlfriends? I think that carving out this little bit of time to focus on our needs and what keeps us healthy is vital. Thank goodness for the WISH! I'm going to get on the treadie and do some reading while I walk. I told MeMe I'd try to do 15 miles this week. Only 13 more to go!

Off and into the day--
Erin

Edit: Walked the walk!

 

[DoeWDW]

Dear WISH-sis, thank you so much for your words of wisdom and comfort in my journal this morning.

Your stats for this month are amazing! You should be immensely proud of yourself and all you accomplish on a daily basis!

Now put on that hat and hit the treadie!

I hope your day is a good one!

 

[septbride2002]

Check you out Erin! Your stats are awesome!

Why is it that there is always so much to do. One wonders if we as women tend to tak on to much and then we lose focus on what is really important. I'm going to have to ponder that today.

You are doing awesome - don't lose your focus and success will be yours!
~Amanda

 

[geetey]

Erin! You are doing GREAT!!! And look at you GO on your miles challenge!! I typically focus on time, not distance. Maybe I need to change that -- you are on to something!

November is a great month for you!! You should be impressed with those stats. You are focused and doing well. Think how fantastic December is going to be!!! Woo hoo!

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm sending extra sunshine your way to help you through this grey day! Put it in your pocket and carry it with you!

Congratulations on getting your treadie time in yesterday. You're really racking up those miles!

Let's make it a good, healthy kinda day, OK?

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin!

Your stats for November are awesome girlfriend! Keep up the good work!

Have a great Wednesday!

Tracy

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

Your stats for November look great. You should be proud of yourself. How many miles are on your schedule for today? Doreen mentioned that it is windy there. Try to stay warm and not get blown away today.

Take care,
Beth

 

[lulu201]

It's December! :jumping4:

It's time for me to list my stats from November. Before I begin, let me say I'm just tickled pink with myself for even making it to the end of the month still keeping track of all this! It's kind of a pain! Still, I see that it's helped me keep some kind of focus, so I'll continue to do this for December.

1. I did my devotional reading 28 out of 30 days this month. 93%
2. I took my vitamins 19 out of 30 days this month. 63%
3. I drank lots of water 24 out of 30 days this month. 80%
4. I exercised for 30 minutes or more 14 out of 30 days this month. 47% (my goal had been 22 days out of the month, 73%)
5. I refrained from binge eating 16 days out of 30 this month. 53%
6. I weighed in 9 out of 30 days this month. 30%

As far as December goes, I'd like to improve ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 I'd like to have at 100%; no. 4 I'd like to bump to 73%.
Is this realistic? Maybe not, but I can try, can't I?

I'm up 2 lbs. this morning; all part of my Thanksgiving celebration, I know. It might have been because I'd been trying to deny myself sugary things and when the holiday hit I figured, "it's now or never!" For December I don't have any plans to totally abstain from sugar yet--it might indeed come to that--but I do want to concentrate on the hunger-satisfaction scale from Thin Within. I thought I was going to count points again, but I really don't want to do that if I can eat only when hungry, minimize portions (I do have a size stomach, you know ), and eat more fruits and veggies. I'm writing down what I eat in a little notebook--it's just easier access than keeping it on-line.

So, my goals for today are as follows:

1. Devotions--done
2. Vitamins--have to eat them with breakfast
3. Water--just finished my first glass
4. Exercise--hmmm, not sure I'll exercise today. Have done 4 miles so far this week. Wednesday and Thursday are very long days; I think I'll plan for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Goal for the week is 15 miles, 5 days total.
5. Food--oatmeal looks good on this grey, yukky day.
6. Scale--looked that nasty thing right in the eye!

I'm going to cut up some veggies for the family, make the beds, and head out to work. I'm reading the Mary and Martha book; interesting. Don't have any time to comment right now, but I think I'm feeling a good discussion coming on. I read in Doreen's journal that Jean might stop by (hi, Jean! ) to chat about organization for the working-outside-the-home mom. . .we've got to get our heads together and tackle this problem next!

I sure love my WISH buddies and appreciate you all stopping in to offer encouragement. I'm not going to be making rounds today most likely, but know you're all in my heart.

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

What awesome stats! Really you should be proud of yourself for keeping track of all of that! I need to get back into the swing of things when it comes to that. I've been slacking.
Have a great day Erin!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

December 2, 2004 Hi! Thanks for stopping by yesterday, Amanda, Doreen, Beth, and Tracy. Always nice to see my friends.

Here's how I did yesterday:
1. Devotions 1/31
2. Vitamins 1/31
3. Water 1/31
4. Exercise 0/31
5. Food 1/31
6. Scale 1/31

All in all, a healthy living day! Today I got on the scale and found it hasn't budged a bit. My problem is definitely eating late at night when I come home from work. . .I know I'm retaining water when I get on that scale. Don't get me wrong, it's not JUST water , but eating at a more sensible hour would surely help the scale situation in the early a.m.

Plans for today are to keep on keeping on. I haven't had any water or my vitamin yet; I'll take care of those in a few minutes. I want to pack some fruit to take with me to work. . .lunch will be a McD. salad. I'm physically tired and worn out--typical Thursday--but I'm going to pray for some strength and faith that I can still feel the fatigue but not binge eat as a way to feel better.

I'm not going to get around to journals today, but know that I'm keeping everyone in prayer. Doreen, I'm thinking about Jerry and about all that you're dealing with at work. Amanda, I'm lifting up Helen, and thinking of you and Tracy as you get ready to travel this weekend on your WDW trips. And Beth, well, you know that I'm praying about your situation and all that you're going through. I'm certain that God has us all under His wing and will lead us and give us what we need, whether it be comfort, direction, healing, or insight.

My love to all. Let's make the most of this Thursday!

Erin

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

Looks like another busy day for you. I'll send a prayrer for you today. You are doing great and I know that the scale will reflect your dedication soon. Take care of yourself.
Beth

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks sweetie! Your prayers mean a lot.

In regards to your late night eating - what were you doing before? Did you take lots of healthy snacks to work with you? Did you eat at work? What were you doing that was helping you to move the scale in the right direction. Whatever it was - it was working and you may need to do that again to avoid the late night bloat.

Have a great day sweetie!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks so much for your prayers! Know that I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers as well.

Your plan for the day looks good. I know Thursdays are tough for you. Do your best - that's all you can do. We were never meant to be perfect, you know.

Shall we have a joint scale bashing?? I'm earning my smilies, just like you are and my scale is actually going UP! But we both know that if we treat ourselves in a healthy way and consistently earn those smilies, the weight will take care of itself. We've just got to hang in there long enough to see the results.

Best wishes for a good day, with opportunities to relax and gather your strength periodically.

 

[lulu201]

December 3, 2004

Let's start with the update from yesterday:
1. Devotions 2/31
2. Vitamins 2/31
3. Water 1/31 The ugly truth is that I drank way too much coffee and diet coke and not enough water. What does that spell? Water retention and bloat, my friends, plain and simple.
4. Exercise 0/31 I have grand plans for the treadie this morning, though. Four miles is my goal. So far this week I'm 4/15.
5. Food 2/31 I didn't binge, but I've been doing some serious thinking in this category--more on that in a minute.
6. Scale 2/31 Status quo for yesterday.

All right, girls, I'm ready for some bare-bones reality here. Earning these smilies just isn't enough. I'm not always binge eating, but the bottom line is that I'm taking in more calories than I'm burning and I'm not losing weight. I'm gaining weight. A lot of weight. I'm am not getting anywhere and I'm darn annoyed at myself for telling myself that I can achieve some results if I'm eating in "moderation." I don't think I know what that is, and I don't think I ever will. I need rules--strict, hard ones at that. Even Thin Within has a set of guidelines. They don't want you to think of them as rules, but let's face it, if you don't follow them EXACTLY you're not going to lose weight! There have been many times that I've thought maybe God put Weight Watchers and those darn restrictive points in my life to provide the narrow path I'm supposed to follow.

So I'm telling you all today that I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I'm SCREAMING IT!
I'm watching myself gain weight faster than I can believe and I HATE IT!!!!!
I HATE THAT MY PANTS ARE TIGHT! I HATE SEEING MY SIZE 10 DRESS THAT I WORE AT EASTER HANGING IN THE CLOSET AND KNOWING THAT I CAN'T EVEN ZIP IT UP! I HATE SEEING MY BALLOON LIKE FACE! I HATE SEEING MY BULGING THIGHS! I WANT TO BE THINNER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember what thinner feels like (notice I can't say "thin." Even when I was a size 8-10, I still can't say I was thin. Why the heck is that?!?) I loved seeing my flatter stomach and seeing my bras fit nicely. I felt strong and healthy and YOUNG. NOW I FEEL FAT AND MIDDLE-AGED. I WANT YOUNG! I AM NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THIS!!!!

Dieting stinks, but that's what I'm going to do. I am going on a diet. No, let me say that again: I AM GOING ON A DIET. I DO NOT CARE IF IT'S THE HOLIDAYS! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S GOING TO BE HARD! BRING ON THE POINTS! BRING ON THE RULES! I AM DOING THIS NO MATTER WHAT!

I'm going to get a big sign and stick it on the frig: I AM ON A DIET. I'm going to put it on my desk and write it on my hand! I've just had enough and rather than spend the day crying about it, I'm going to fight back. I have to. I just can't go back to where I was, and I know FOR SURE that that's where I'm heading.

So WISH buddies, please help me. OK, now I'm going to cry for real, but please be tough. Tough love is what I need. Don't let me be less than what I know I can be. Keep me in your prayers. I know a lot of you do already, but please pray specifically for this healthy life I want to lead.

Here's the plan for today:
1. Devotions
2. Vitamins--not on an empty stomach
3. Water--haven't started yet, but I will. 8 glasses minimum.
4. Exercise--4 miles on the treadie.
5. Food--I haven't had breakfast yet, but I've had two cups of coffee. 2 points
6. Scale--

The plan for food is as follows:
B--yogurt (2) and almonds (1)
L--soup and crackers (6)
S--orange (1) or (2)
D--something healthy. It'll = about 10 points.
Dessert--I'm buying myself some skinny cows to ease the chocolate cravings.

Thank you for letting me come here to express the hurt, pain, and frustration I feel. It's nice to have a safe place to let it all out.

Erin

 

[Auntmeme]

Oh Erin - a big hug your way

I hear you & feel your pain, why is it so tough? Just want youto know you are not alone & I will be tough I hope you are on the tm right now! How many points are you allowed?

Keep the faith and stay strong - you can do it! By easter you will be in that dress again TGIF