My Journal to Me - Comments welcome!

[Jane E.]

When I was a kid growing up in Ohio rhubarb was grown out in the fields - Mom used to get some from relatives and make rhubarb pie. I never liked it but my father sure did. Its very tart - maybe now I'd like it since my tastes have changed. For dh's birthday one year I got him a strawberry rhubarb pie but I wouldn't eat it. I always heard it was poisonous if you ate it raw but don't know if thats true or just an old wives tale.

Great job on the 95 min hill walk!

 

[goldcupmom]

Hey, JaneE, I grew up in Iowa and Rhubarb there was poisonous raw, too! Don't know if it's true or not, I sure wasn't going to try it!!

Sounds like you're doing well, Anna! Congrats on the loss!

Have a great rest of the week!

 

[CACruisin']

WARNING: This entry is long winded as I am doing some reflecting on weight set points - do they or don't they exist .... opinions?

First thing after DD's went to school I finished my May Exercise with a walk w/ the jogger stroller! Since I have been walking solo in the evenings recently I haven't had DH's GPS (no stroller to clip it to and too nerdy, even for me, to just carry it. ) I was interested today to see if my general pace had increased and it has. My avg pace was 3.6 mph today. When I started last month it was 3.3 mph. That definitely made me feel good. I know I walk faster when I don't have the stroller too.

Another positive today was the scale. Since I have been doing the May WL challenge I needed a final WI this morning - 172! Now this is great, but if there is such a thing as “set points” then I think 172 is probably one for my body. I have spent an awful lot of time at 172 over the past 12 years. I weighed 172 in mid 1993 and again in 2nd half of 1994 before I was pregnant with each of our first 2 DD’s and I spent the better part of 1997- 1998 at 172. Now I think 177 has also been a set point for my body, if set points exist. I came back from our cruise last summer at 177 (started the cruise at 172!) and pretty much never went down since then. Crept all the way up to 185 starting this year. When I started this WISH journey I fell pretty quickly from 185 to 177, then it took several hard weeks to get beyond 177. Again, once I did break that point, the weight loss was pretty quick. So I can see that I may run into trouble again at 172. Once I do break this barrier (if it exists) the next stop would likely be 164, then 156 and 152. ...

All of this ruminating came about while I was trying to decide about the June Challenges. I will definitely do the Exercise Challenge, though I still need to decide for how many minutes since my schedule will be all out of whack with school ending and I have 3 sets of overlapping houseguests from June 15 - July 3rd and another group tentatively coming in July 3 -10. I am very conflicted on the Weight Loss Challenge however. With the houseguests I know I am going to be tempted over and over again food wise so maybe the Challenge will be good to keep me motivated. Once I set a challenge for myself, I really don't like to fail. However, I feel like with exercise, this is something I have control over. Either I do it or I don't and I am in control of that choice. I don't always feel that way about my weight. I eat right, I exercise and it doesn't budge. I screw up and maybe it goes down. WTH?! TOM plays a part too.... Too many random variables for me. I like a more direct cause and effect. I don't know what to do on this one ... Opinions appreciated....

Enough long windedness ... On to todays info.
Food:
7:30a: 1c GoLean Cereal, 12 oz skim milk
11:30a: 3/4c LF split pea soup, 1/2 turkey & avocado sandwich - I was starving and actually made a whole sandwich. However, after I had finished the soup and 1/2 the sandwich I was full so I wrapped up the 2nd half for tomorrow!
3:15p: granola bar
5:30p: 2 slices salami
6:30p: "Light" Italian quiche w/ salami, provolone, & parmesan; green salad w/ tomato, avacado, parmesan; 12 oz skim milk
Totals:
Cal: 1247, Fat: 52g, Carbs: 139g, Fiber: 21g, Protein: 73g -- the avocado really skewed the fat #, but they are in season right now ...

Water: 100 oz

Exercise: Walk with DD2 in Jogger stroller: 3.7 miles in 61 minutes, avg 3.6 mph

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracey, the exercise challenge has been great for me. Amy (lovinaz) can give a much better explaination, but basically, you decide how many minutes you want to commit to for the month and then update your totals periodically. I am competitive enough and don't like to fail, so the challenge gets me out the door to exercise when I might not otherwise.

Jane, so you were trying to poison DH with the rhubarb pie .... just kidding! The pie really was good, but I think I'll stay away from raw stuff just in case.

Amy, thanks again for doing the exercise challenge last month. It really kept me going. I will definitely do the June Challenge just not sure about the time. A part of me thinks I should still commit to 1200 minutes since one of my original goals was to exercise for at least 60 minutes 5X/week.

I bought the GoLean at Costco so I still have quite a bit to finish. Nobody else seems to like it (too crunchy!). When it is gone, I'll have to try the Grape Nut one.

Goldcupmom & Tracy and everyone, thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it!

 

[ScoJo15]

Anna - hey great job on the weight loss and awesome job on the exercise challenge!!! As far as what you should do with your busy June.....I'd not worry so much about the food and just remember that things are ok in moderation, just try not to overdo it....as far as the exercise, would you be able to get out early before everyone wakes up or maybe late in the evening when everyone is winding down? dunno...just a thought!

Keep up the great work and sorry for not stopping by in such a long time

 

[lovinaz]

Anna, just do what is right for you on the June exercise challenge. I had to lower my minutes this month because I know there are some obstacles that will get in the way of my workouts. I set it just a little bit higher than I know I can FOR SURE do, to make me work a little harder.

As for the weightloss challenges, I don't do those. I did them when I first started WISH and I think the most I ever lost was 1lb. It was too frustrating so I don't do them anymore. It is entirely up to you. Not everyone can lose 5lbs in a month, and others can lose more than that.

And don't get into the mindset that you will be stuck at 172!!! I think your mind plays a big part in losing weight. If you think you will get stuck, you just might sabotage yourself into getting stuck. Keep doing what you are doing and you will continue to lose at a steady pace.

Congrats on making your exercise challenge!!!

 

[Jane E.]

Interesting post about set points. There's so much information about weightloss and diets now - its an interesting theory. All I know is I got stuck at 159 for a long time and I was so glad to break that barrier but now I can't seem to keep my weight at 149. I'll get down to the 140's for a few days then jump back up the scale again. Probably has something to do with chili cheese dogs and coffee ice cream!

It may be slow but at least we're headed in the right direction. You've not only increased your walking speed but also your metabolism. There's so many other factors involved in eating a healthy diet & exercising. Looks like you're having a very busy summer. That in itself should help keep you in shape!

 

[CACruisin']

The "end of school" activities have begun. I swear I think I could started eating today and not stop until sometime mid July! This morning was the PTA board meeting and elections. My kids are impressed that I am now VP of Communications. All it really means though is that instead of just editting the newsletter each month, now I get to pick it up from the printer and put them in the teacher's boxes too! After the meeting it was off to Toddler Class and then dropped DD2 off at the neighbor's for an hour while I went back to school for the Volunteer Luncheon. Throughout the year different classes bring in monthly lunches for the teachers. At the end of the year, the teachers do a lunch for the volunteers. It is +30ft of tables loaded with salads and then more tables loaded with desserts. Really, really good! I was reasonably controlled though. I took small portions of a variety of salads and did not overload my plate. I passed on all the bread. Then when the others went to the dessert table I decided to go get a little more additional salad. I did end up getting a few desserts too though, but not as much as I would have in the past.

Food:
7:20a: whole wheat toast w/ PB & blueberry jam
10:30a: toddler class: 4 bites of watermelon, 1/2 string cheese
12:15p: many salads, small chocolate cupcake thing, 3 bites carrot cake, small raspberry bar, 2 glasses iced tea
6:30p: 6 handmade tortilla chips from local market (yum!!), small salad w/ tomato, sprinkle of parmesan, balsalmic vinegar - I called DH and told him he and the kids were on there own for dinner. He brought home salmon to grill - perfect! I can't stand fish and they love it.
Resisted: coffee cake at PTA meeting, pasta & potato salads, bread, many more desserts, more chips w/ DH before dinner

Totals:
didn't do these today with all the salads & desserts, but probably lots of fat, minimal protein.

Water: 104 oz

Exercise: none.

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you all for your input on my long ramblings yesterday. I appreciate everyone's insight.

I decided to do 1150 for the June exercise challenge. This is definitely going to be a stretch with all of the other activities going on, but I am determined to do this!

I decided not to do the Weight loss challenge this month. I don't want to fail and with everything going on that would be a strong possibility. I did sign up for the new year new you hydration challenge. Generally this should not be a problem for me, but this challenge will keep me going on the busy days.

Scott, thanks for your suggestions. I definitely am getting better about moderation, but I'll have to remember this and not "give up" when there is one event after another.

Amy, thanks for sharing your experiences with the challenges. I probably set my exercise challenge too high, but with all the eating going on, I really wanted to keep pushing myself exercise wise. You are right about working on my mindset! I WILL get past 172, and sooner rather than later. I can do this, I will do this. Thanks for reminding me!

Jane, good point about metabolism. I hadn't thought of that. Another good reason to not slack on the exercise! As long as the scale keeps going down, even slowly, I am happy. This is a lifestyle now. This month will be a good challenge/test for me. Visitors are great, but so often it means eating out, lots of munching and cocktails by the pool, etc.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Way to go at the luncheon today Anna! Those type of events can be absolute pig out fests, it sounds like you did great. Still enjoyed yourself without eating too much, what a great combo! Also, way to go with setting that goal for the June exercise challenge. Its good to aim high, you can do it! Keep up your good work, the weight is coming off!

Amy

 

[lovinaz]

Way to go at the luncheon! Those are always so hard for me. I can never behave. You did really good!

I bet you will meet your goal - sounds like it will be a challenge, which is the whole point!

 

[CACruisin']

While I did well at the luncheon on thursday, I was not so good at DDs' Honor Choir Beach Party last night. It was just so fun to be down at the beach with people I like. The weather was gorgeous (no June Gloom!) and all the kids were having a great time. Should have left it at that, but no. Hot dogs, cheetos, potato chips & onion dip, spinach dip, pasta salads, s'mores. About the only thing I didn't have was anything from the veggie platter?! My body is not too happy with me now, so maybe I'll behave better next time. Ugh!

The rest of the day was actually great. The music teacher went to the beach early in the morning to stake out a fire pit & some tables, then parents took turns "hangin' at the beach" with the fire ring during the school day. DD2 and I took the 9-10 shift. We had a great time. Played at the playground near by, then at 10 went and played in the waves for awhile. Then since it was a really low tide, I was able to walk along the waterline with the jogger stroller for 60 minutes. I even ran for a few minutes! The sun broke out about 20 minutes before my walk ended. I forget how nice it it as the beach in the mornings. I need to come down more often.

Food
7:45a: 1c GoLean Cereal, 12 oz`skim milk
12: 20p: 1/2 turkey sandwich on whole wheat
3:00p: 6 oz FF yogurt
5 - 9pm: Hot dog w/ bun, cheetos, potato chips & onion dip, spinach dip, other misc similar stuff, pasta salads, s'mores

Water: 104 oz

Exercise: 60 minutes walk w/ jogger stroller at the water line. 3.9 miles, 3.9 mph (jogged 7 minutes total)

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy & Amy - I felt pretty good after the volunteer luncheon, not so good after Honor Choir. When I am really content/happy, I don't think about my weight which is great, but then I tend to overeat. Gotta work on that. The exercise challenge will be tough, but yesterday was a great start. Thanks for stopping by my journal. I really appreciate your encouragement.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Anna~

Sounds like you are off to a great start this weekend! The Beach Party sounds like it was a lot of fun!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Anna, picnics/parties like that are so hard to do well at. You had a good time and you are back on track now which is what really counts. And I don't think it sounds like you did all that badly. I'll bet in previous times, before you journaled what you ate and took such good care of yourself, you would have eaten much more! And what a treat to get a nice long walk like that in at the beach no less. I am so envious! Have a great rest of the weekend and thanks for your encouragement. We are all here for each other!

 

[Jane E.]

I see that hot dogs have made an appearance in your thread too! What is it with those darn things. When you're really hungry theres nothing like a hotdog with all kinds of bad stuff in it & with it! The s'mores alone would do me in!

Great job with your beach walking! I always find it tougher to walk on the beach than on the street. I bet your using new muscles.

 

[lovinaz]

I wouldn't worry about the beach party. At least you got a walk in! You are off to a good start with your exercise challenge. It seems like when I try to be good I always overdo it in other ways (like I avoided cake and ice cream but ate about 2200 calories worth of cheese & crackers ). As long as those splurges are only occasionally, you will continue to lose!

 

[CACruisin']

Today was DDs' piano recital - meant cookies and going out to dinner afterward with my MIL. I was only half joking earlier about starting to eat on 6/1 and not stopping until after the 4th of July! So many activities involve eating right now - ugh!

DD2 and I spent most of the recital in the foyer outside so we would not interupt the other performers. Guess where the cookies were!? I did ok during the recital - only at half of the lemon cookie DD decided she didn't like. After the recital I had one oatmeal cookie - yummy! So I had another (oops!) and then followed with a chocolate chip. Then it was time to go to dinner! At Olive Garden I did better. I had looked stuff up on the internet before hand and knew what I would order: LF soup & low carb entree.

One good note: DD10 needed to make "hush puppies" for her pioneer project. It called for bacon grease as an ingredient I realized while I was cooking up the bacon (to get the resulting bacon grease!) that I was not at all tempted to have a piece of bacon. I don't know if it was because we had just finished breakfast and I wasn't hungry or what, but in the past there is no way I would have been able to cook bacon and not nibble.

Food:
10:30a - 3 pancakes, 2T maple syrup, 1/2 banana, 12 oz skim milk
2:30p - 6 oz FF peach yogurt
5:00p: 3.5 cookies
6:00p: (Olive Garden) - 1 bowl minestrone soup, Pork tenderloin, sauteed zucchini, 1/2 glass wine, 1 Andes mint
resisted: breadsticks, "zuppa" soup, pasta dishes

Water: 100+ oz (I drank at least 82 at home and then the waiter refilled my water glass at least 5 times at dinner)

Exercise: none

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The beach walk was awesome. I am going to check the tide schedules and see if I can get a few more of those in before school gets out. I do have a few sore muscles, but what really hurts are my sunburned shoulders. Why do I insist on putting sunscreen on my kids, and think I don't need it myself if it is not too sunny?

Unfortunately, the splurges/parties are on a daily basis right now. There are 2 events this week. One will be an easy one to be good at, but the other is an unknown. One of the reasons I kept my exercise challenge high this month is because I knew I would need to get all my exercise in to try and counteract the constant eating challenges.

The hot dog was good, but I definitely lost control with all the other munchie stuff at the beach party. I would have had more S'mores too, but I realized I was the only grown up roasting.

Thanks everyone for stopping by my journal. I appreciate your encouragement for what is going to be a very challenging month.

 

[lovinaz]

Oh I don't think I will ever be able to eat hush puppies again! I can't believe there is bacon grease in them! WAY TO GO resisting the bacon! I have done some serious damage with that stuff. There's no such thing as one strip. It's either nothing or half a pigs worth!

That stinks that you have so many eating challenges coming up, but try to be prepared and it will be so much easier! That was great planning with Olive Garden! And you are right - when you know you will be eating more, you need to up those exercise minutes. You'll survive!

 

[CACruisin']

Today was better about getting back on track. I didn't exercise, and I missed lunch, but otherwise, it was ok. I didn't even pig out on the chips and guacamole even though I really wanted to!

Food:
8:45a: scrambled egg w/ cheese, 1.5 strips bacon, 1/2 slice cinnamon toast, 1/2 grapefruit, 12 oz skim milk
3:00p: granola bar, blueberry banana smoothie
6:15p: 2 turkey hot dogs, 1c baked beans, 5 tortilla chips w/ guacamole
Resisted: more cinnamon toast, more guacamole & chips!

Totals:
Cal: 1486, Fat: 49g, Carbs: 203g, Fiber: 25g, Protein 71g

Water: 112 oz

Exercise: none

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy, the epicurious recipe did not call for bacon grease, just bacon pieces. However, the "pioneer" recipe from the Oregon Trail Museum did call for bacon grease, then deep fried in oil/grease. I'm not going anywhere near these things!

Generally, I always eat extra bacon while I'm cooking, but not this time! Of course, now I have a lb of cooked bacon to deal with, but it is not nearly as enticing if it is not hot. I think we may have cobb salad for dinner tomorrow night. Any other suggestions for what to do with a bunch of cooked bacon?

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Anna!

Stopping by to WISH you a wonderful week!

 

[lovinaz]

The only thing I know to do with bacon is BLTs. I can't even think about bacon - I have to behave today!

Great job with the chips. Sometimes it is hard to stop at 5, but you know it is the best thing to do.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Anna,

Way to go at the luncheon!! You did great. Don't worry about the beach party, it was only one night, that is okay! Congrats on the loss too!!! That is wonderful!!! You will make your goal...I just know it!

You are doing a great job...Keep up the awesome work!!!

Happy Monday