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

[DoeWDW]

Glad to hear your time at the beach was good.

I must confess, though, I'm happy to see my favorite WISH sis back here.

Sorry to hear about your scale encounter. I know that feeling all too well. We both know it will pass. Think of it as a gentle reminder of the way things USED to be, a reminder of why you work so hard to be healthy and fit.

Let's both work hard at our healthy living today. We know we'll feel better when we lay our heads on our pillows tonight if we walk the walk. I'll be right beside you, sweetie.

and

 

[septbride2002]

I'm glad you had a great time on vacation! Your goals for September look great! I will be all the way towards you kicking the caffine habit and getting that scale to move in the right direction!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Look at that cute little smilie! Even under the umbrella, there's a smile on his face! Let's try to be like that today, ok?

I didn't exercise yesterday. However today is a new day and I've got a plan to get it in early. I'll be walking half a mile and doing 20 minutes of stretching and Pilates. Did you hit the treadie today???

Sending an extra for you since DD is headed back to school today. I hope her day is a good one! She's a beautiful and poised young lady and I'm betting she can handle whatever comes her way.

and

 

[lulu201]

Doreen, you're a sweetie. Thanks for the extra First Day of School , but you know what? I messed up. . .DD's first day of school is tomorrow! Oh, well, she was happy to find out Sunday night she had an extra day!

I've got to make this short because I've got to take DD to her friend's house and then I've got to get to work, but here's the scoop:

1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
The time is always right to do what is right. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
To Act:
Look for an opportunity to make a positive difference.
To Pray:
Thank you, Lord, for the tremendous difference You make in our lives.
2. Vitamins--forgot all about these, better grab them before I go out
3. Water--uh, maybe I've had one glass?
4. Exercise--walked 30 minutes on my treadie.
5. Food--shredded wheat, banana, couple of walnuts, coffee, and milk for breakfast. Lunch will be tuna sandwich. Snack will be an apple. Dinner will be Tuesday Saladworks Special.
6. Scale--down to 184 this morning. Still high, but moving in the right direction at least.

I honestly don't know if I'll get around to journals today, but you know I'm thinking about you guys. Doreen, be gentle to your tummy--only do what exercise you can.

Erin

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Erin!

How are you doing post-vacation? I hope that you are doing well. Sending some for your DD's first day of school tomorrow. Hope she has a wonderful Wednesday!

How are you liking Joel's book? I have been reading it off and on for the past week or so. Sometimes, I find myself very challenged by what he says because I have a tendency to fall into patterns of negative thinking as a defense mechanism. So, when he talks about pouring new wine into old wineskins and seeing the positive all the time, sometimes I struggle.

I hope you are doing well. Take care!

 

[lulu201]

Whew! Got DD off to her first day at the big high school! My 10th grader is sitting in class, I'd imagine, at this very minute. She was more than a bit anxious (now where does she get that??? ), but she's well on her way.

I was watching GMAmerica this a.m., and the sights of Katrina's aftermath are so, so terrible. Besides donations and prayer, I feel like there's not much else I can give. What a tragedy.

Here at home, I'm just going about my routine. I'll head to work around 1 p.m., but in the meantime I'll straighten up and do some work from home here on the computer.

The plan for today:
1. Devotions
Christ commanded us to love one another, and we can show that love through simple acts of caring.
2. Vitamins--with breakfast
3. Water--am going to drink tons today!
4. Exercise--my treadie and I have a 30 minute date
5. Food--had about a 1/4 of a banana and some coffee. . .I think I'll have a multigrain bagel w/pb later on, a tuna sandwich for lunch, and soup for dinner.
6. Scale--184 again.

Today I'm going to strive to make good decisions re: food. I haven't had any sugary food since Saturday and I'll work to maintain that abstinance today.

Just thought I'd share Mike Huckabee's "12 Stop" Program from his book,Stop Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork .

1. Stop procrastinating! Begin your healthy lifestyle today!
2. Stop making excuses! There's always going to be some holiday, vacation, etc.--just do it!
3. Stop sitting on the couch! Move it!
4. Stop ignoring signals from your body!
5. Stop listening to destructive criticism! (from yourself and others)
6. Stop expecting immediate success!
7. Stop whining! (a particular favorite of mine. )
8. Stop making exceptions! (also a favorite. . .)
9. Stop storing provisions for failure! Clean out all the junk from the house and don't bring it back in!
10. Stop fuling your body with contaminated foods! Stay away from the junk!
11. Stop allowing food to be a reward. (another favorite!!)
12. Stop neglecting your spiritual health.

With that said, I'm going to look upward for my strength and move into the day. to all,

Erin

Edit: Tracy, I almost forgot about the book. Do I like it? Uhh, that's a hard one. I appreciate Joel's positive attitude. I agree with a lot that he has to say. I think what sometimes makes me uncomfortable is his discussion re: prosperity. I haven't finished the book yet; who knows how I'll feel by the end?

 

[Strings]

Hi Erin,

I've missed you. Your anniversary post made me cry. Congratualtions on 21 years of marriage, 2 years of WISHING, and sending DD to HS. Your plan for September looks amazing, and you have the strength to achieve everyting you set out to do. Good Luck with the caffiene. It is such a destructive thing. Not only is it a physical addiction, but a mental/emotional too. You can do it.

Take care sweetie,
Beth

 

[lulu201]

Ok, this is going to be an even longer than usual post (can it be done? ) because I want to include part of my devotions today.

From the "Purpose Driven Life" daily devotional written by John Fischer on the tragedy left by Katrina:

~In legal terms disasters like this fall under the category: “Acts of God.” Doesn't bode too well for God's reputation, does it? Is it that God doesn't have anything better to do than devastate the lives of hundreds of thousands of people? To some it may seem like that. We call natural disasters “Acts of God” because there is no other way to explain them. I would prefer to believe God is in charge of even things like this, and accept the inconsistencies that come with that belief, rather than live in a world even God can't control, or worse, where there is no reason for our existence and no one there to hear our silent screams.


One thing we need to remember is that this is the same God who let the world and His human creation go bad, and then turned around and sacrificed His own Son in a brutal death in order to save it. Will we ever understand that? Probably not. But as a result of God's unique divine/human incarnation, He understands us. He is neither distant nor untouched by our human predicament. Believe me, He's got His arms around these flood zones right now eager to help and comfort. And just as God suffered over Jesus, His heart is breaking over these losses. Whatever you feel, you can be sure God feels also, and then some. The acts of God include the tears of God. And just as He will ultimately redeem the human race, He will also turn our lives and devastations into good somehow. Life will go on and God will still be God.


Yesterday the governor of Louisiana asked for everyone to spend the day in prayer. That's where we turn when things like this happen. To have no one there to pray to would be even more devastating.~

I don't know why I felt like I should post all of that, but I guess it's because this issue is so huge and hard to deal with. It just brings up so many questions.

For me personally, well, I'm just going on with my little life. Here's the scoop:

1. Devotions
2. Vitamins
3. Water--have had 12oz. or so
4. Exercise had a great 1.25 stroll with Mickey, but I'm going to get on that treadie for 30 minutes, too
5. Food--shredded wheat, berries, coffee for breakfast. A.M. snack will be a peach. Lunch will be out with DH. A salad maybe? I'm not sure what else I've got planned for today, but I'll continue to abstain from sugary stuff and binge eating.
6. Scale--back up to 185 this a.m.; I had soup late last night for dinner and am holding some of that salt.

Main goals for September:

1. Continue following #1-3 above
2. Exercise aerobically 6x a week for 30 minutes each time. This will be a challenge!
3. Count points. Target for today is 24. 35 flex in the bank.
4. Lose 5 lbs. by the time I leave for WDW on Sept. 29. If I can do that, I'll be 2 lbs. lighter than I was 2 years ago when I went.

OK, I'm clear as to what I want to accomplish it. Now I just pray for the strength to do it!

Speaking of prayer, thanks for lifting DD up on her first day of HS yesterday.
SHE LOVED IT!

More later,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm so glad your DD had a wonderful first day of HS!! I know how much we as Moms can feel the emotions of our kids and so I'm sure her good day translated into good feelings for you too!

Now, I'm here to throw a little celebration for YOU!!
Way to go!! You've been doing a WONDERFUL job of getting your half hour of aerobic exercise in every day this week!!! What a wonderful gift to give yourself - a strong and fit and healthy body!! You know this exercise is doubly important to help you avoid diabetes. I'm cheering you on for the next few days of workouts! Keep it up, Lulu!!

Seize the day, dear Erin!

 

[toystoryduo]

From the "Purpose Driven Life" daily devotional written by John Fischer on the tragedy left by Katrina:

~In legal terms disasters like this fall under the category: “Acts of God.” Doesn't bode too well for God's reputation, does it? Is it that God doesn't have anything better to do than devastate the lives of hundreds of thousands of people? To some it may seem like that. We call natural disasters “Acts of God” because there is no other way to explain them. I would prefer to believe God is in charge of even things like this, and accept the inconsistencies that come with that belief, rather than live in a world even God can't control, or worse, where there is no reason for our existence and no one there to hear our silent screams.


One thing we need to remember is that this is the same God who let the world and His human creation go bad, and then turned around and sacrificed His own Son in a brutal death in order to save it. Will we ever understand that? Probably not. But as a result of God's unique divine/human incarnation, He understands us. He is neither distant nor untouched by our human predicament. Believe me, He's got His arms around these flood zones right now eager to help and comfort. And just as God suffered over Jesus, His heart is breaking over these losses. Whatever you feel, you can be sure God feels also, and then some. The acts of God include the tears of God. And just as He will ultimately redeem the human race, He will also turn our lives and devastations into good somehow. Life will go on and God will still be God.


Yesterday the governor of Louisiana asked for everyone to spend the day in prayer. That's where we turn when things like this happen. To have no one there to pray to would be even more devastating.~

Erin,

Thank you for sharing that this morning. I have been trying to process all that has been going on with the devastation and victims of Katrina and at times, I am overwhelmed. My heart needed to read that. Thank you.

I'm glad to hear that your DD's first day of high school went well. Two cheers for your DD and you, Erin! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

Have a great Thursday!

 

[DoeWDW]

It's Friday!!

Looks like it will be just DH and I tomorrow. DS has to work and DD says sleeping in is more important to her than KofP . Our day is blissfully free of plans so if you need to adjust the time to better suit your schedule, that's fine. I'm really looking forward to some time for us to chat. DH may have to visit a local job site for a couple hours so I'll be hanging at the mall. Tough life, huh?

May your day be filled with sunshine and bright smiles .

and

 

[septbride2002]

Morning Erin! I hope the is shining where you are!

~Amanda

 

[lillygator]

Hi there - hope you are having a gerat week and a great holiday weekend!

 

[lulu201]

OK, let's talk about yesterday. I earned a for devotions, a for vitamins, a for water, a for exercise, a for the scale and about 5 for FOOD!

Yes, it's sad, but true. I totally fell apart. It started with an innocent chocolate covered pretzel, which led to a full out sugar binge.

BUT, TODAY IS A NEW DAY! I'm now more certain than ever that sugar and I don't mix, though it did help me get rid of a headache I'd had all day. Hmmm, medicinal chocolate--no, chocolate therapy , that should be allowed, shouldn't it?

I couldn't face the scale this a.m., but I did face my routine:

1. Devotions
2. Vitamins--not yet
3. Water--have started
4. Exercise--25 minutes with Mickey, 30 on the treadie
5. Food: mini-bagel w/pb, coffee w/milk. Lunch will be tuna sandwich, veggies, and a peach. Dinner will be a salad, a breadstick, and a serving of pasta at the Olive Garden. Dessert, if I want it, will be a choc. s.f. tastee cake and an 8 oz. glass of milk. I know, I know, I was all gung-ho about counting those points yesterday, but with my work schedule changing, I think meeting my exercise goal might be enough.
6. Scale--like I said, I couldn't face the fool thing.

So, I managed to be s.f. for 4 days. . .I'm aiming for longer this time. I'm on the downside of my cycle, though, and the carb cravings will get stronger before they get better. Hopefully, if I avoid the sugar and can ride it out, I'll be better for it in the long run.

Today on my walk I was thinking about my body. What's realistic for me? If I'm truly honest, I can admit that in the last 21 years (since I was married), I've spent MAYBE a total of 12 months under 160. Why do I have it in the back of my mind EVERY DAY that this is where I should be???? I'm almost 44 years old--why can't I just be content?! Maybe if I didn't go through this endless cycle of dieting and bingeing I could just even out at a respectable, average weight? Wouldn't it be great to have a wardrobe of beautiful clothes sizes 12-14 instead of a wardrobe with a mish-mash of stuff from size 8 to 16???

I'm quite frustrated with the whole darn issue. I know what it feels like to be thin and I LOVE that feeling, but--again, if I'm honest with myself here--the last time I felt THIN (18 mos. ago), I was walking about 20 miles a week. That's just not realistic for me, I don't think. BUT binge eating sweets is not going to be part of my life either, I just won't accept it!

Today I'm sick of rules and points and all that goes with it. I just want to be s. f. and abstain from a binge. That's enough. I know that to do that I have to eat in a healthy way, and that's what I'm going to do. I planned a nice day of meals that seem satisfying and reasonable and that's what I'm sticking to today.

OK, I'm done my little rant and I feel much better. Thanks for letting me get that out.

I'm going to get back to work now.
E.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi Erin - I so enjoy reading your posts every day. I have to totally agree with your philosophy - be more realistic. For me I think it is a mid life thing - seems like I woke up one morning and nothing fit.....or at least didn't fit the same as the day before.....gave into it and just ate whatever I wanted - that accomplished nothing..... I have never had good eating habits - sadly to day - so "eating right" is quite an effort for me - I am "start the new diet 1st of every month person".....Hoping this month will be better......
Did Walk Away the Pounds - 2 mile walk yesterday and today!! (note here - have always hated exercise)

And have vowed to Like Me!! Not to give into what I don't like about the way I look and slipping further - dressing well - feeling well......

Hope you have a good day......one positive thought at a time.....

 

[DoeWDW]

dear Erin. Know that we all love you no matter what you ate yesterday.

Your plan for today sounds absolutely right for you. Eat reasonably and avoid a binge. That's enough.

Goal weight - what a tough thing to define. The good news is that you don't have to decide right now. Just keep doing the things that are healthy and maybe your body will find its own goal weight. This is easy to say, but I know that in the back of my mind, there's a number, a very unrealistic number lurking, trying to define my goal weight for me, without the benefit of reason or of my 41 years of experience. Where do these numbers come from???? The number probably comes from the same place as the monster under my bed when I was a child and is just as rational.

Step by step, Erin, and try to enjoy the journey.

See you at our usual time, usual place tomorrow.

 

[lulu201]

It's a happy day! I'm gonna see my WISH-sis in a little while. . . the sun is shining. . .it's going to be a great day!

Thank you, Paula and Doreen, for stopping by and posting yesterday. I had to smile Paula at how you say you're a "start a new diet 1st of every month person"--so am I! Now if I could learn to keep at it for the WHOLE month!

Oh yeah, so let me talk about yesterday. . .I forgot to take my vitamins, BUT I stayed on plan for my meals. I feel much better about things today. With God's help, I'm going to stick with my "no sugar, no binge" program for another day. Here's how it's looking:

1. Devotions
Daily Thoughts:
A Time to Think:
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. --Martin Luther King, Jr.
To Act:
Always look to the good you can do in every situation.
To Pray:
Father, grant me patience when I stumble and courage to continue on. (Boy, this prayer hit it right on the nose for me today!)
2. Vitamins--won't forget today
3. Water--will drink lots!
4. Exercise--am on my way out the door with Mickey for his a.m. walk; if I have time I'll hop on the treadie before I leave to see Doreen. If I DON'T have time, I'll get it in later today.
5. Food: breakfast was about a 1/2 cup shredded wheat and a serving of walnuts mixed into some lite yogurt. Lunch will be a wrap at Subway. A snack somewhere in there can be some veggies, a cheesestick, or an apple.
I'm not sure about dinner yet, but I'll watch the portion sizes. Dessert will be my s.f. cake and 4-8 oz. of milk. I don't know what the points are, but it looks reasonable to me.
6. Scale--back to 184 this a.m.

Gotta walk the dog. . .
Erin

 

[lulu201]

OK, now let me get focused here. Oh yeah, it's Sunday, and I have to be at church in 35 minutes! Yikes! I'd better get myself moving .

Yesterday was a great healthy living day! I'm moving on now to a new one:

1. Devotions
2. Vitamins--will do
3. Water--will start
4. Exercise--walked Mickey, will do the treadie after church
5. Food--oatmeal w/milk, bananas, walnuts, cinnamon, and splenda. Lunch will be a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread w/fresh veggies. Dinner will be at my sister-in-laws. Basis plan: "Sugar Free, Binge Free"
6. Scale--183

I've got to run. After church we'll stop and get some fruits and veggies, I'll get on the treadie, clean up and head north to visit family. Sometime in there I hope to get a few loads of laundry done. Wish me luck!

to all,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

183!!!

I hope you're having a wonderful day and that the laundry fairy has helped make that mountain of wash more bearable.

I picked up a copy of Potatoes, Not Prozac today and am eagerly reading, seeing myself on every page. Just amazing!!

and , dear WISH sis!

 

[lulu201]

Ooh, I'm glad you're enjoying the book, Doreen. I'm gonna get my copy out and begin re-reading it tomorrow.

Went to my in-laws this afternoon. I love seeing my niece and nephew and their dog. If anyone has a prayer they can send up for my brother-in-law, Randy, I know he'd appreciate it. He's in the National Guard and will leave for New Orleans tomorrow. I'm so proud of him.

Now this may be very dull, so consider yourself warned, but I have to process this whole event this afternoon and how I ate there and how I'm eating now. I had a healthy breakfast and lunch, took my vitamins, and walked on the treadie before I left. At my sister-in-law's house we had roast beef sandwiches and I put fresh veggies on the rest of my plate. So far so good. Then, though, I caved and had two hard pretzels. Totally nervous eating (I won't rehash any in-law stories at this time ). Instead of a cake, the twins wanted brownies for their birthday dessert, so I had a half a brownie. Right there I've set myself up--pretzels AND sugar AND in-laws, whoo boy, it's getting tense. I got home and headed straight for the cereal and have now had some strawberries, almonds, and shredded wheat.

Why did I do that? I wasn't hungry. . .I had some sugar, but the craving wasn't really a physical one at all--it was purely emotional. I wanted to "soothe" myself, to "reward" myself for having gotten through the family gathering. I ate like an addict. Now granted, it wasn't a half gallon of ice cream or a whole bag of chips--it was just a cup of cereal, but still I ate it to GIVE something to myself--to relieve the stress I'm feeling.

What could I have done instead? With all the books I've read, the life experiences I've had, what could I have done differently? I know that crocheting, cross stitching, or playing the piano could have calmed me instead. Chewing gum or getting back on the treadie could also have helped a lot. Maybe a cup of herb tea and some deep breathing? I think I want to have a strategy IN PLACE. . and I think the tea or a cup of s.f. hot chocolate--something I could use as my "emergency" trick--might help. A benign substance--even maybe a cup of decaf? Of course, that brings up why I feel the need to have "a substance" at all--why not just experience the stress, chalk it up to the feelings I often get around some family members, and endure it? Now that would just be nice and healthy, wouldn't it?

One thing I didn't experience today was a feeling of defeat. I've struggled to not stray from my plan too far, but I haven't beaten myself up because I did.
I feel like this is a learning adventure and I'm understanding more and more about myself.

In Doreen's journal she mentioned that she wasn't going to count carbs, and I've decided I'm not going to count points--at least not for awhile. I'm going to continue to log my food and exercise so that I can see the trends of how sugars and compulsive eating go hand and hand with me. I'm going to continue to avoid sugar--the next time I allow myself overt sugar will be in Disney World. If I want something sweet there, I'll have it. Giving myself a break from sugar abstinance on family birthdays, major holidays, and vacations sounds workable and comfortable for me. I know I need some structure, but I also don't want to feel deprived.

So, I'm going to go into the next week eating healthy things I enjoy, walking in the sunshine and on the treadie (because that's what I like to do), drinking water, and, like Doreen, feeling happy.

It's a good life.

Erin