Lulu201's Healthy Living Log (comments welcome!)

[DoeWDW]

I hope you had a good day today!

It seems as if Tuesday is a long day for you as far as work. I hope it flew by and you managed to have fun with your students.

Night!

 

[lulu201]

Starting another cheat-free day! The plan for Thursday is as follows:

1. Drink lots of water.
2. Take that vitamin.
3. Avoid coffee and candy. Had to add candy to the list; I'm seeing so many of those little Halloween bars, I have to run the other way! THEY ARE POISON!
4. Stay within the points.
5. Rest--no treadie today.

I'm finding it really helps to list my goals like this. I feel a lot of accomplishment when I can go through the checklist at the end of the day. Plus writing them down kind of recommits them to my life!

Today is LONG. Teach 4 classes (two at a nearby preschool) and eight private students. In between there are lesson plans to do.
Had hoped to do some late last night, but I just couldn't. Too tired. This weekend looks like it's going to be a good one for catching up on things--because of Halloween I don't have any late afternoon lessons or classes. Looks like tomorrow my treadie and I have a date for a four mile walk!

Off to the breakfast routine, will edit here later.
Onward and downward!

Today was a little dicey:
b--eng. muffin w/ cream cheese and coffee=5
l--ham and cheese on a roll=7
s--banana=2
s #2--munchkins, 3=5.5
d--soup and crackers=7
Total: 26.5 total, left in bank 27.5?

Took vitamin, tried to drink water--no way did I touch two quarts like you, Doreen. Avoided coffee; I had to pick up the Munchkins at Dunkin Donut and I thought I'd bust having to walk out without one of their coffees! Still, I feel good not having as much caffeine and the truth is, I really like the green tea.

Gotta go to bed--just a day too long and full of drama.
E.

 

[DoeWDW]

That 4 day cheat free clippie is lookin' good!

You seem like you are really doing well and feeling very committed to making positive changes. You're meeting your goals daily. You're making this look easy even though we both know it takes a lot of energy and effort to set goals and then follow through on them. You should be very proud of yourself!!

I hope you have a great day!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Erin! Good to be back if only for a minute to say hi! You're doing great with the exercise, I'm jealous. No time to exerise for me. I know what you mean about the candy problem. Someone put out some chocolate cupcakes. Very tempting! Look away Erin, look away!

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Lisa! It was nice of you to stop by! I'm glad you haven't forgotten us!

 

[lulu201]

It's FRIDAY! I don't have much to do at the studio today, but how come I'm going to be so busy?! It seems I never get enough chance to just relax! Uh-oh, I think it's my lack-of-coffee headache talking. I'm not really that grumpy. . .but this green tea I'm drinking this a.m. just hasn't done the trick yet. Hopefully soon, or I'll have to take some ibuprofen.

Enough moaning. . .today is a beautiful sunny day ! So far I've had 24 oz. of water and I've taken my vitamins. Next I'm going to walk an hour on the treadie then I'll work on DDs Halloween costume.

b--banana, green tea=2 Feeling a bit queasy this morning. Don't know if it's related to my caffeine withdrawal or not.

I was thinking yesterday about how good I feel about myself when I'm living a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, though, I realized that it involves a lot of denial. Saying "yes" to good things (like donuts and tootsie rolls) doesn't necessarily make you feel good. I actually have to tell myself "no" to the Good-ies to feel good!!! Weird, huh. It's true to so much in life. . .if you say yes to overindulgence anywhere (spending, eating, working) it loses it's goodness. Like they say, "too much of a good thing. . ." It's a narrow walk I have to walk sometimes to find balance. . .and I have to focus on the positives, those things I can say "yes" to and let them take the place of the things I'm saying "no" to. I have to look at what I'm giving myself by saying no to mindless eating--a healthier body, a stronger sense of self. OK, that was my philosophical moment of the week.

Now I'm off to face the world!

Edit #1 10:55 a.m.

Hey, I can't believe this: I JUST WALKED 4.13 mi. in 60 min.!!!!
I have to give MYSELF bounces over this!
I have never done anything like this in MY WHOLE LIFE!!!!!

Edit #2 3:20 p.m.

l-- 1 slice 12 grain bread, 2 oz. light cream cheese, olives=4
Trying to keep the points down as DH and I are going to the Chinese Buffet tonight to have a shrimp fest! If anyone is looking for me, I'll be the one with a measuring cup, measuring out the shrimp!
s--vanilla cream coffee with caramel steamer, 12 oz. from WaWa
My only coffee for the day! I had two cups of green tea this a.m. and that gave me the caffeine fix I needed to get rid of my headache. I'm not sure of the "pointage," but I'll look on Dottie's Weight Loss Zone and see if I can come up with it.

DD is going to spend the night with a friend; I'm going to catch up on some letter writing and work on my afghan. Guess I will get a chance to relax after all. I'm not grumpy anymore; I've had my java for the day!

 

[DoeWDW]

Oh, Erin, you are so right about too much of a good thing not being good for us at all!! What an appropriate musing on Halloween morning! Too much of that good-tasting poison truly is not good for me. I'm going to try to be extra-good to me today by saying NO to the goodies! Once again, you have come up with just the inspiration I needed to get me through a tough day!

I hope you're feeling better soon! I also hope you get a chance to really kick back and relax this weekend sometime. Maybe you should make an appointment with yourself for relax time just like you make an appointment for anything else important in your life. Your body and mind NEED that time to unwind and recharge or you can't be a good wife, mom, teacher, etc.

Do the best you can today, Erin, and it will be good enough!!

Edit: 8:45 PM
Erin, over 4 miles in 60 minutes!!!!

There's 4 bounces - 1 for each mile!! Wow, you must have been bopping along to your walking music tapes!! I'm so impressed! Do you realize you did almost 1/3 the half marathon and kept under a 16 minute mile???? With over a year to train, the half-marathon may be a reasonable goal! Way to go!!

Your food choices have been great so far. I hope you did well at the buffet. I can see you with that measuring cup !

I'm off to work on MY afghan....LOL! Enjoy your relax time, Erin!

 

[lulu201]

Wow, I finished up yesterday pretty strongly! I think I've figured out how to do the Chinese Buffet! Here's what I had:

d--1/2 cup Gen. Tso=7.5
1 cup chicken and broccoli=2
1/2 cup veg. rice noodles=4
2 cups steamed shrimp=4
1/4 cup cocktail sauce=1

Oh, and my WaWa coffee was 1.

Total for 10/31=25.5/25 left in the bank (I made a little mistake before)

Got a late start at dinner, went to pick up a movie--never did get a chance to work on my afghan. Maybe this afternoon?

Yes, Doreen, I was thinking that doing 4+ miles at that pace was making the 1/2 marathon a possibility Haven't been too sure of DHs willingness (to go again since our cruise) or our finances for 1/05, but yesterday he bought me the book "Complete Guide to Marathon Walking"--looks like a good sign to me! I'm glad I didn't take my name off the list.

I feel like I'm making changes that are going to last a long time. I'm too chicken and have failed too many times to say "a lifetime," so will settle for "long time" for now. I'm feeling good and I'm feeling strong--emotionally and physically.

Off to start a brand new day, onward and downward.
Erin

Edit #1 11 a.m.

Walked around Peddler's Village and Rice's Market this a.m., had a cup of coffee w/creamer, glass of iced tea, and bagel w/cr.cheese. Large bagel, so total of all breakfast=9

Now off to do some housework. . .

Edit #2 2 p.m.?

Ran some errands with DH, stopped at BKing, had chicken tenders w/bbq sauce=6 Total for day so far=15

Edit #3 6:30 p.m.

Forgot to take my vitamins--I'm going to run downstairs and do it when I'm done here. Have been drinking a lot all day, will continue tonight. For dinner I had a salad with 3 chicken strips, 7.5, plus salad dressing=3, snack of celery=0

Total for day=25.5/23.5 left in the bank

Walked 2.1 miles at a nice leisurely stroll; I mapped out a new walking course around my development today--it's 3.2--I'll have to try it out tomorrow because it's supposed to be such a nice day.

Might have dessert later. . .if I do, it'll be sugar-free jello with light whipped topping. Yum! Zero points!

That's all for now. It looks like it was another CHEAT FREE DAY!

 

[DoeWDW]

You did so well at the Chinese Buffet! Practice makes perfect and now you know what you can eat there. Erin, you're doing so well with making healthy food choices!

Keep up with your walking training and who knows how far you'll go. DH was so sweet to get you that book! He sounds like he is so supportive of you.

Did you consider yesterday a cheat-free day? You haven't updated that beautiful star clippie..... Looking at your food choices, I think you did fine so you have my vote for a cheat-free day!

Have a wonderful sunny day, Erin!!

 

[lulu201]

Well, it's the end of the week and tomorrow is weigh-in day. I hope to stay low on the points, so that I can see good results on the scale. I've seen a drop the last couple of days, but I'm waiting to update my signature again until the official weigh-in.
Maybe I'll join Doreen in the 10 pound clippie club?

I did something crazy on Friday. . .I bought a new pair of jeans--that are too small. I know, a little strange, but I liked the color (they're a burgundy shade) and the price. They're a size 12 slimfit stretch, and I've decided that during the Turkey Challenge I'm also going to be on a Skinny Jeans Challenge. Hopefully by turkey day, I'll be in those jeans! I can zip them up and all, but you wouldn't want to see me in them at this point. Every week I'll try them on as motivation and inspiration.

OK, let me clarify what I'm doing goal-wise today.
1. Walk my new outdoor walking trail-3.2 miles.
2. Take my vitamins.
3. Drink 8 large glasses of water.
4. Eat no more than 24 points--after all tomorrow's weigh in!
5. Have my coffee only at church this a.m.

Yesterday I cleaned like crazy, so today I'm going to put some laundry away, maybe sweep the porch or vacuum out my car, do those thank yous/letters I haven't done yet, and CROCHET!!!

With prayers for strength and perseverence to run this healthy living race,
Erin

Edit #1

b--Eng. muffin, cream cheese, pineapple=4.5
s--coffee w/creamer=1
l--ham and cheese=5
exercise: 3.2 miles on the track
water: about 4 glasses so far

Time to get the laundry taken care of and to write those thank yous! Thanks, Doreen and Jean, for your support and encouragement. It sure helps to know we're all in this together!

Edit #2
s--strawberries=1
d--baked ziti, 2 cups=12
jello w/topping=0

Total points for the day 23.5

It's 8:20 p.m., and I haven't had a chance to sit down all day. Thank goodness I had a walk. Gotta go make cookies for the
Cookie of the Month club--I've got to pray a lot to keep myself on track. I know: a prayer and a diet root-beer. That should do the trick!

'Til tomorrow!

 

[DoeWDW]

Erin, I do hope you can join me in the 10 pound clippie club!! We've both worked so hard this week. I'll be praying for good news tomorrow morning!!

I LOVE the idea of a Skinny Jeans challenge!! It's a great way to SEE the progress you're making. I have a pair of too-small pants in my closet - maybe I'll drag them out and join you.

{{ Hugs }}, Erin!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Edit: 10 PM
Erin, your food looks great for the day. You have really been on track lately! Good luck tomorrow morning with the scales. I hope you can avoid the cookies and have a restful night's sleep.

 

[jean88]

Erin thankyou for cheering me up with your post's you have some great one liner's in there

Jeanxx

 

[lulu201]

Yippee!! I've lost FIVE POUNDS THIS WEEK! I'm doing the happy dance! The Whoosh Fairy must've blown through my neighborhood! Oh, and maybe the eating right, exercising, and drinking water had something to do with it, too!

From what I can remember (haven't checked old posts to be 100% accurate), I walked 13.43 miles this week. Now if I could just walk it all in one day. . .

Well, have to go, DD is having a before-school crisis.

Smiles to all!
Erin

 

[lulu201]

OK, I'm back and still celebrating my new clippie! Guess I should try on my skinny jeans today and see if they fit any better.
For some reason, Thanksgiving seems a lot closer now--25 days away--I don't know if I'll be wearing those jeans when I go to my mom's or not! I can only try.

Speaking of trying. . .I want to review my goals for last week and set new ones for today.

First of all, I was much better at taking my vitamins. I drank much less coffee, and I exercised 5 times last week. I also stayed within my points (using the bank, of course). I was more aware of my water intake, too. These behaviors are feeling more "normal" now; "cheating" is less on my mind and would feel kind of weird. The crunch time isn't here yet, though. THAT will be the test--when TOM is knocking at the door!

Long term goal: to adopt life-long healthy living habits
to walk the 2005 WDW Half Marathon?

Short term goals: to walk 2 more 10Ks before the end of 2003.
to join The Liberty Bell Wanderers, the local
walking club
to lose 5 lbs. by Thanksgiving (that will meet
my Tgiving Challenge and earn me my 15 lb.
clippie)

Goals for this week: to take my vitamins every day
to drink 8 large glasses of water/day
to drink green tea only (no coffee at all!) on
Tues. and Fri., and only one cup of coffee
the other days
to exercise 5x this week for at least 30 min.
each time
to stay within my points each day.

Writing out a plan like this really helped me last week. Here's hoping I can stick with it!

So far today--

b--coffee w/cr.=1

Today's a long, busy day. I didn't get ANY time to crochet this weekend. I was so tired from all the running yesterday, I crashed at 10 p.m. after making the cookies. Feeling tense and rushed, but trying to regain a sense of peace. I'm supposed to be at a workshop this a.m., but to get there, I'm going to have to do more rushing around. Hmmmm, will have to think about this.

Edit #2

Ate on the run all day long and still feel stressed and frazzled! Thank goodness I packed some stuff to eat!
s--bagel w/red pepper cream cheese=4
l--tuna salad=5.5
s-berries=1
s-veggies=1
s-butterfinger bar (hey, it's my treat for the week! That's what the bank is for! =7
d-baked ziti=6
dessert-skinny cow=2
Total=27.5/31.5 left in the bank

Going to go try and get some rest!

Onward and downward,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

WOW - 5 POUNDS!!!!

Erin, that's FABULOUS!!! I noticed your very pretty new 10 pound clippie - HOW COOL!!

You have KICKED BUTT this week, girl!!! Setting those goals is really working! I am so happy for you!! Can you hear me cheering???

I hope all that stress melts away for you. Pajama day - great idea! Maybe you should do that on Saturday?? I'd like to do New Hope but DH isn't quite finished with that nasty old roof.... You can always walk it without us. I promise we'll get together again - either for a walk or just for fun.

Have a wonderful day, Erin!

 

[lulu201]

11/4

1. No exercise, day off.
2. Coffee OK today, it's tomorrow that I meant to take off.
3. Drink lots of water; try for a glass after each class.
4. Vitamins.
5. Points; goal for today is 24-25.

I'm moving into a brand new day determined to slow it down and regain a sense of centeredness. I'm not going to sweat the small stuff!

A happy day . Better perspective on things. Anyway, here's the lowdown:

b--eng muffin w/red pepper lite cr. cheese=3
coffee=1
l--tuna salad=3+1+.5+1=5.5
strawberries=1
d--grilled Italian chicken sandwich=11
dessert--skinny cow =2

Total=23.5/32 in bank

Took vitamins, tried to drink a lot, no candy. Made it through OK.

MeMe, it's good to have you around. I heard Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of "The Wrinkle Cure" talking about the insulin and cortisol effects that coffee has. He said that if you gave up coffee (and I'm not sure, but I think this includes decaf as well), you'd help yourself lose weight. It isn't so much an issue of caffeine--it's the chemical properties of coffee itself. Hey, it's worth a try, right? He also went on to talk at great length about the benefits of green and black teas.

Oh well, got to go--we just got Finding Nemo, and DD is dying to watch it. We'll probably fall asleep!

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, Erin!

It looks like you made the most of a tough day yesterday - good for you!! You had a yummy treat and worked it into your points, which is a sign of healthy eating.

Today (it IS Tuesday, right??) is a busy day for you. I'm glad to hear you're looking for pockets of peace and contentedness. I hope you have a peaceful day in spite of the busyness.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

[Auntmeme]

You are unbelievable, awesome, amazing, and outstanding 5 lbs WOW - you go girl! I have read only the last page so I've missed so much and when I have a chance I promise to catch up. Looks like you are making strong progress. Not only in weight loss but in changing to a healthy lifestyle. I see you are walking miles and miles and miles, your legs most be looking good Still doing the WDW 1/2 marathon? I'm in, can you please give me the web site again? I am embarrassed to share my unhealthy lifestyle for the last 3 weeks so we'll leave it at that.

What's with the switching to green tea? is coffee that bad? I drink at least 4 cups per day sometimes decaf.

You and Doreen both crochet? I have an afghan started over 10 years ago 1/2 finished maybe I should get it out.

Have a wonderful Tuesday and keep it up - you are my inspiration

 

[lulu201]

Wednesday, 11/5

Doreen and MeMe, thank you for all the encouragement. . .I feel so blessed to have you guys--and the other WISHers, too--as a support system as I try to make all these lifestyle changes. You two, though, have been there since the very beginning You help me when I'm down, you celebrate my victories. . .thanks for being there.

So, here I am. First coffee free day (gulp). All I can say is, "bring it on, 'cause I'm ready." I think. I'm going to put the tea kettle on in a couple of minutes.

Plans for today are pretty much like yesterday, except I have a treadie walk set for 8:30 or so. I hope to go two miles. On Friday I'll try another long walk. Still haven't decided anything about New Hope on Saturday. . .it'll depend what my energy level is like.

Well, here I go. . .

 

[DoeWDW]

TRED-DEE! TRED-DEE! TRED-DEE! YOU GO GIRL!!

You are my exercise inspiration for the day! In honor of your treadie walk, I pledge to walk 1 mile this evening either in the rain or using WATP, instead of just sitting on my tushie being lazy.

You're not thinking about doing the 10k in New Hope on Saturday, are you? Have you checked the weather report?? Weather.com says it will be sunny with a high of....gulp....48 degrees. Do you like to walk in the cold?? My DH is more of a fair weather walker. I like your idea of just strolling around the area with DH (and DD??), though.

As for the coffee - good luck today!! I'll be rooting for you! I know it's a tough habit to kick. Extra hugs and pixie dust for you today!!

Onward and downward, Erin!! Here's a sunny smile in spite of the rain today to match your sunny attitude!