Lulu201's Healthy Living Journal--Just trying my best to walk the walk! Come on by!

[Cruise04]

Congrats on all of your accomplishments. And if it helps others and brings smiles to faces and to people like Amanda then you deserve a BRAVO in my book!!!!

Sounds like you've had a great couple of days - keep it up!!!!

Keep on
Chris

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, everyone. Thanks for all the visits yesterday. You all enrich my life so much with your kindness and encouragement.

Yesterday was rough, if I'm completely honest. It's nothing new--I struggle with intense PMS every month, particularly deep fatigue--but it hit me harder, I think, because I've been trying so hard to stay on plan. It was the first day I've been REALLY challenged.

So, I've decided to tweak my plan a bit to compensate for the rough half of the month. During the 10 days before TOM, I won't seek to lose weight, I'll just work to ride the wave without any compulsive eating/bingeing. I'm going to intentionally add points for additional carbs and calcium (OK, and maybe a cookie, too), keep track of all my points, and follow an eating plan.
I'll continue to exercise moderately.

Here's the plan for today:

1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -George Elliot
To Act:
Look at the world with a vision magnified by the power of faith deep within you.
To Pray:
Lord, teach me to consider good ideas no matter what their source.
2. Vitamins--have to set them all out in the little boxes for the week.
3. Water--I'll start soon. I've got to get in at least 64 oz.
4. Exercise--it's a bright sunny day! I'm going to get in at least 1.25.
5. Food--I had kashi cereal (3), 1 oz. of almonds (4), and milk (2), along with my coffee. Lunch will be a tuna sandwich in a pita and veggies (7). Snack will be a cheese stick (2). Dinner will be a McDonald's salad (9). In reserve: 4 points for healthy snacking should my body be calling for it.
6. Scale--no report 'til Friday.

That's the plan for today. While I feel tired and run-down today (I ONLY had 9 hours of sleep! ), I feel empowered. I haven't given up my plan like I so often do during the 2nd half of the month. I'm still on track. And that feels so good.

Looking Up, moving on down,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Yes, dear Erin, you ARE still on track! I admire your willingness to listen to your body, evaluate your plan and do a little controlled tweaking, instead of just giving up and bingeing. You are definitely still on the healthy living road AND you are honoring your body's needs. Well done!!

You also recognized your body's calls for more rest. Maybe you could make time for a nap this afternoon or some other way of having a bit of down time to nurture yourself. Even taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply for 2 or 3 minutes, to stand and stretch your muscles, to go outside and see green grass and feel the sunshine's warmth can be rejuvenating.

Take good care of you today - you're worth it, WISH-sis!

and

 

[septbride2002]

Erin when I was on WW I use to make these awesome snacks that I called angel cakes. You take a box of angelfood cake and mix it with a can of crushed pineapple then you put them in muffin tins and bake at 350 till brown on top. They are DELICIOUS! and they are only 2 pts per muffin!

Your plan looks doable just remember every time you go to eat something that eating it will not be as wonderful as getting into those size 10 capris!

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Erin,

I sooooo hear you about TOM: I'm experiencing the same things right now: snack munchies and fatigue. I think it's great how you have tweaked your plan for TOM! Listening to our bodies is a good thing.

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

 

[lulu201]

Hey, girlfriends. I love you all. Thanks for the encouragement.

But here's the thing, Doreen: I don't wanna take a nap! I don't wanna take a nap! I don't wanna be tired and feeling like a rag! I HATE IT and I DON'T WANNA ACCEPT IT! I want to be fully on top of things 100% of the time, darn it. And I guess that's a little life lesson I have to learn. . .that that's just not how it is. I've got to accept the fact that my body's asking to take it slower. I'm going to give in a little (yeah, maybe even take a nap ), but I am going to get out there and take that stroll in the sunshine first.

Thanks, you guys, for lifting me up when I feel like dragging myself down.
You're my .

Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, Erin!

This is the day that the Lord hath made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

OK, I know you're in the D-Zone and you might not FEEL like rejoicing (especially rejoicing with an exclamation point ), but a quiet sense of God's presence and a quiet thankfulness will do. You are blessed by God in so many ways. Walk with that assurance today.

I hope your plan modifications are helping you through the D-Zone. What did you spend your extra points on yesterday? What did you do to nurture yourself?

Sending you best wishes for a wonderful day!

and

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, everyone! It's Thursday, August 11, 2005.

I didn't take a nap yesterday--no time--but I did go to bed at about 9:45 and slept this morning until 8:20! I purposely didn't set the alarm; I figured since I have the luxury of waking when my body dictates, I should take it.

Here's today's plan:

1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
Live your life and forget your age. --Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
To Act:
Live in harmony with your beliefs and ideals.
To Pray:
Let me never be too old to hear Your word, God, and store it in my heart.
2. Vitamins: I took the extra calcium yesterday; I'm going to take it again today.
3. Water--I'm going to start earlier today; yesterday it was well after noon before I began drinking my H2O.
4. Exercise--I almost killed my little pup yesterday--he had some heatstroke going on and I had to put him in the sink with cold water!--so I'm going to leave him behind and do my walk alone today.
5. Food--yesterday went extremely well! I had some extra carbs and milk. Overall I felt better and my cravings were totally manageable. I'll plan a menu today that allows for some extras.
6. Scale--OK, I caved. I got on the scale to see if yesterday's point increase was going to show up. . .it didn't. I think I may be on to something here. . .

Doreen wrote: "a quiet sense of God's presence and a quiet thankfulness will do. You are blessed by God in so many ways. Walk with that assurance today." That's how I feel today: (tired, but) abundantly blessed.

I'm going to walk the healthy living road with my eyes focused Upward and with the help of my friends.

Erin

 

[lulu201]

Here I am! OP Day #19!

The plan as I know it:
1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him. -Albert Schweitzer
To Act:
Open your arms to beautiful
moments and they will come to you.
To Pray:
Lord, keep us mindful of the humanity we share with all people.
2. Vitamins--in a couple of minutes
3. Water--I've got to keep drinking!
4. Exercise--I'm going to walk the mall for hours. That'll do for today.
5. Food--breakfast was yogurt and fruit and almonds and coffee (6). Lunch will be a salad and roll from saladworks (19). Dinner will be ? No snacking allowed!
6. Scale--steady at 180. I'm not losing, but I'm not bingeing and gaining. That's being OP during the ride through the D-Zone.

Yep, DD and I are going school shopping today. She's a shopper extraordinaire, so I'm prepared to do lots of walking. This evening DH and I are going out with another couple for dinner. I'm going to keep it light. Tomorrow I hope to get out early in the morning and walk/run my 1.25 loop. From what my reading tells me, I should be getting my heart rate above 120, and I don't think that's happening when I'm walking the dog.

This weekend I'll start making a list of what we need to take with us on vacation next Sunday. This year I'm vowing to travel LIGHT!

I'm asking God for strength to stay on track today. . .only He can give me what I need to fight the hormonal pull of the D-Zone!

,
Erin

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Erin!!! 19 days OP is wonderful!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

Have a great weekend!

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for all the Friday merriment in my journal!

I found a link for you:
http://www.kiteloft.com/webcam/
You can watch what's goin' on in front of the Kite Loft in Ocean City MD. Looks like a beautiful sunny day today. I'm hoping the weather is great for your upcoming trip. You've got a whole week to get ready so no worries. I'll be crossing my fingers that the winds have died down since our April trip!

Enjoy that school shopping trip! You'll get PLENTY of exercise with DD at the mall. You can let her know that we still haven't made a decision on the messenger bag for our DD.

Have a wonderful day with DD and later with DH & friends!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi Erin - I am enjoying reading your daily devotions - they are truely an inspiration. Also very proud of you for not giving in the the TOM/PMS demons !!

Keep positive thoughts.....walking at the mall - sounds good to me.....off to my journal now....

 

[lulu201]

Today's a kind of bittersweet day. . .I'm celebrating 18 days OP, but regretting that I have to take myself out of the 100 Cheat-Free Challenge.

Yesterday I did some really healthy things for myself, but when I look back over the day, I just feel like I pushed the envelope too far and was too sloppy in my eating to call it "cheat free."

For breakfast I had yogurt, fruit, and almonds. For lunch I had my salad at saladworks, my wheat roll, and 1 tsp. promise margarine. When we stopped for a drink, I had water and a little bit of DD's diet coke. Then I suggested we get a cookie at Mrs. Field's. Just one. PMS, you know. Then at home, before we went out to dinner I had a cheesestick and a couple of almonds (to take the edge off dinner, you know. ). At dinner I had one small slice of bread with some butter and roasted peppers. No appetizer when it came to the table. I had a glass of wine. For dinner I had a salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a veggie panini sandwich (think B. Breeze, Doreen). No dessert. Yet. Went back to friends' house after dinner, had some decaf hazelnut coffee, a few after dinner mints, and then some chocolate chip ice cream. (didn't want to hurt our hosts' feelings, you know ) Came home and (this is the mark of my compulsive eating--totally NOT hungry, but I'm having trouble turning off the ole eating switch) had a few more almonds and a handful and a half of pretzels. Too much whistling going on to call it a cheat free day, if you know what I mean.

STILL, I don't feel discouraged. Rather, I'd say I feel more empowered! I've looked at my behaviors honestly and I'm dealing with my consequences (falling out of the 100 day challenge). I'm still writing down my plan. I'm not going to let myself off the hook or say "I blew it" and relapse into a 10 day free-for-all. Nope, I'm going to brush myself off and bet back into the game.

Since I started boosting my calcium intake with additional suppliments, my PMS symptoms have decreased, so I'm going to take away my little point "allowance" for now. I'll keep it in reserve for emergency use only, but I'm going to plan my day without it. It's still so very, very hot and humid out, I'm going to count a few hours at the mall with DD as my exercise. If I get out to walk, it'll be later tonight. I have to admit, that if I'm truthful with myself, I feel like mall-walking is rather lame. I know I have to be out there doing more. . .maybe I'll try for a walk/run tonight. I've got to really concentrate on drinking my water, also.

So, that's where I am, and here's where I'm going:

1. Devotions Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. - Anonymous
To Act:
Look for ways around your limitations.
To Pray:
Lord, let me not forget that Your blessings are to be shared.
2. Vitamins--will continue to suppliment with extra calcium
3. Water--will drink lots!
4. Exercise--mall walk, maybe walk tonight?
5. Food--I'm going to write my plan out here and in my little book:
breakfast--english muffin (lite) with pb and coffee=5. Lunch will be subway wrap at mall (10). Snack will be something lite at Starbucks--have to check their nutrition site. Dinner will be chicken paella. I'll look that up, too.
6. Scale--

Off to mall for round two with DD. Yesterday we had such fun! Looking forward to more today.

Hugs to all my WISH buddies. I love it when you visit!
Erin

 

[lulu201]

Good morning!

I can only say one thing: thank goodness for flex points!

Breakfast: that lite english muffin, pb, and coffee=5
Lunch: two lebanon bologna roll-ups w/cream cheese=4
Dinner: chicken penne salad w/balsamic dressing (at Bellini's at the Mall)--good choice, if you ask me. Very light.
Snack: (this is where it turns dicey) a frappucino light w/o whipped cream (a VERY good choice, very low in points) and half of a peanut butter reese cup cookie. OK, this in itself isn't TOO bad. I have points for this.
Dinner #2: when I came home from the mall(s) I had about a cup of DH's chicken paella
Snack: (this is the killer) a pecan Cinnabon. Note to self: always check points before eating. This baby cost me 25.5 flex points!!!!! Of course, that's not taking into account the other flex I used. I now have 4.5 left til NEXT FRIDAY! I see lots of veggies in my future for the next few days.

When I look at the day, I see a lot of positive--no, I really do . I didn't get enough water, but I did get in LOTS of walking (who said mall shopping/walking is kind of lame??? BTW, Doreen, I wasn't talking about OUR mall walking, I meant the shop--stroll--eat walking that DD and I do). I remembered my vitamins. . .it wasn't a bad day, except for that darn bun. Why did I eat it? Well, DH had given me a buy one/get one coupon and DD didn't really want one, so I didn't want to disappoint DH . . .or me.

ANYWAY, I'm moving on:

1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
We judge a man's wisdom by his hope. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
To Act:
Live with hope in your heart.
To Pray:
Lord, it is such a comfort knowing that with You I am never truly alone.
2. Water--32 oz. done
3. Vitamins--with lunch
4. Exercise-- I got up early, before church, and walked and ran for 30 minutes, 2 miles.
5. Food--breakfast was kashi, milk, and coffee. 5/ Lunch will be yogurt, fruit, and some almonds at 5. That leaves 14 for dinner. Veggies for snack.
6. Scale--OK, I stepped on it, but I know it's just the effects of late-night bun eating. Tomorrow should be better.

We shopped for about 9 hours yesterday. Today I'm taking it easy!!!!
to all my WISH friends,
Erin

 

[Cruise04]

9 hours of shopping!!!!! That makes me tired just reading it. But I do have to agree - I think mall shopping should be a sport!!!!! It does take a lot to keep up sometimes with all the walking that can be done!!!

Sorry you felt like you had to take out the other day from your cheat free.

Keep on
Chris

 

[lulu201]

It's Monday! And it's August 15, 2005

Yesterday was an OP day!

Here's the ole plan for today:
1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile. -Anonymous
To Act:
Celebrate the unique gifts that you bring to the world.
To Pray:
Father, may my gifts to others reflect Your timeless love.
2. Vitamins--on the counter w/an extra calcium for later in the day.
3. Water--yep, will do.
4. Exercise--heading to the park
5. Food--breakfast was raisin bran crunch w/milk and coffee=5. I've got the rest of the day written out.
6. Scale--back to 180.

Lots to do today, so I'd better get started. Already have the wash going. I'll try to stop back in later. . .

Looking Up, moving down--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

You are back on track and ready to take on the world!

Congrats on getting right back on plan! I'm rght there with you today!

Hope you have a wonderful day today!!

 

[septbride2002]

I am so very proud of you for keeping such a good food journal over the weekend and holding yourself accountable. I need to take a page out of your book. No matter what the scale says I think you are doing awesome!

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

It's a brand new morning! August 16, 2005

Thanks for stopping by, Doreen and Amanda. Yup, I'm trying to keep myself on track, even it's from the bottom of the D-Zone! Friends like you guys sure make it easier.

Well, let's see now. . .oh yeah, yesterday. I stayed OP! And I'm gonna do it again today! I'm not relying on my own strength, though; I've sent some major prayers up to get me through!

The plan, trusted and true:
1. Devotions:
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
We judge a man's wisdom by his hope. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
To Act:
Forget a wrong, remember a kindness.
Hmm, this one is a particular challenge for me when it comes to a certain person in my life. I think I'm going to make a list of all the kindnesses this person has shown me to remember in the vacation week ahead. . . . I'll focus my thoughts on those instead of the negative.
To Pray:
Thank You Lord, for the wonderful feeling I get when I give.
2. Vitamins--yup, I'll take 'em.
3. Water--will drink it. It's getting to the point that I don't feel right if I don't drink my usual gallon!
4. Exercise--the sun isn't shining, but I'm going to get out there in a few minutes anyway and do a couple of miles.
5. Food--breakfast is my homemade "latte." Later this morning I'll have yogurt, almonds, and fruit. Lunch will be a cheesestick and an apple. Dinner will be salad and a wheat roll (it's Saladworks Tuesday).
6. Scale-- I got on again today. Right now I need it. And yep, I was happy with 180 yesterday, Amanda (it's funny what I can be grateful for ). I started 7/25 at 185, dropped to 180, hit 183 after my date with the Cinnabon, and am now back to 180. It sure would be nice to see a LOSS this Friday, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. Thursday night is our anniversary (21 YEARS!!!!! ) and we're having dinner rather late (after work). Maybe I'll put off my official weigh-in until Sunday, the day we leave for the shore.

Tracy, I got the Joel Olsten book at the library "Your Best Life Now." I'm going to read it on vacation and leave it out so my DMIL might take a peak, also.

Also on the vacation reading list: "The Hurried Woman Syndrome" and "Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork." The H.W. Syndrome is particularly good (I've started this already) and one I think every woman should read. It talks about how prolonged stress--even the day to day struggles we have--take their toll on our body chemistry and how we have to care for ourselves to avoid major illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. I haven't gotten to the "self-care" section. Right now I'm into the discussion on serotonin, dopamine, and norephedrine (I think that's it), and what happens when one or more of these neurotransmitters is out of balance. Very interesting. Just what I like--nice, light summer reading for the beach.

Tomorrow's my 2nd anniversary on the WISH. You've been forewarned: tomorrow's a day for major reflection in my journal.

I'm going downstairs now to put the wash into the dryer. Then I'm going to take a walk and get ready for work. We have an a.m. appointment with a potential teacher whom I can't wait to meet! Then I have lessons and choir rehearsal tonight. It's going to be a fun day! Rehearsal's a lot more fun now that DH comes and plays, too.

All right now, I'm off and into the day--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

For someone in the depths of the DZone, you sure sound happy today! I think that's GREAT! You're looking on the bright side and seeing the good things in life. That positive attitude will go a long way in helping you stay on plan and feel great!

I'm taking notes on the interesting books you're reading. It seems a trip to the library may be in order!

Many warm congratulations on your upcoming 21st anniversary! Todd and I will be married 20 years tomorrow. I had no idea our anniversaries were so close together - how cool!

Erin, have a wonderful day, full of hope and joy and love!