Susie's Journal

[Siouxstone]

I made the commitment to the WISH board this morning after having considered it for a while. I am really excited about my new goal of "riding" my exercise bike to DisneyWorld. I have a challenging few months ahead, but I think if I stick to the goal when I can, I will reach the World just before we go on our next trip in January. This equals just under 3.5 miles a day. When I do ride my bike, I usually log between 4-6 miles. This will allow me some wiggle room when things get crazy in my life.
I've been a faithful reader of the Dis since I was planning our trip in May of 2003 for my 10th wedding anniversary. We figured that someone ought to throw us a parade, and we knew where we could find one every day! However, it was going to be a very tight trip with the money, so I stumbled across the budget boards and read it from one end to the other. It's still odd to see that I don't have any posts by my name when I've been here so much over the last two years.
I am a proud mommy of a 6 month old boy. We can't wait to take him on his first trip to DW, which we have planned for January '06. It's the earliest we can plan it after his first birthday.
I have a lot of weight to loose, but am going to follow a trusted friend's advice to make my goals small and "bite sized." I think the pun was intended on her part. My first goal is 25 pounds before the 4th of July. I'm not trying to get a rapid decrease in size. I'm looking for more lifestyle changes and more exercise. I ditched a lot of the junk food when I was pregnant and am moving to much healthier variety of vegetables and whole foods. I also will have an added challenge because of some surgery that I might be required to have in the next month or so.
I will try to post at least once a week with my progress. I would like to commit to more, but one of the new "mommy lessons" that I have been learning is to commit to less, and surprise with more. I also work a full time job as a manager in a big chain Bookstore, so Mr. Potter will try to take a lot of time from me in the next four months as I throw the Party to end all parties. (Just like last time!)
I think everyone at the Dis is just great. I've gotten some DW fixes through these boards over the last few years. Heck, even reading "tags" is a fun sport!

 

[Siouxstone]

Busy morning already, in a very busy day! But, I've made some tea, it's nap time and the bottles are soaking in the sink, so I'm setting my timer for 30 minutes of quiet online time.
Today is Hooter's Half-Birthday! (We call him "Hoot" or "Hooter" because just before Christmas he woke us up at 7 am hooting. At first we thought our big owl had returned (or that we had mail for Potter fans), but then we realized it was coming from the baby monitor. He proceeded to hoot constantly for over 3 weeks, and the name stuck like a gift from Santa.) Of course this means that we had to go get shots this morning, so Hoot isn't too happy. He's such a big boy! We put him on the scales and he's an even 20lbs! He was born just under 10, so it's about right. He's also very long. We have to put him in 12 month clothes just to get his legs and lower arms to be covered.
The entire family's doctors are all in the same big family practise, so the nurse let me hop on the scales as well. I was very pleased. I am only 5 lbs from my pre-preggy weight. That means that besides the water weight and baby that I got to ditch in the first week after giving birth, I've lost 25 lbs since last September. Not too bad for someone who had complications! I wasn't even allowed back to work for over 2 months, and I didn't have a cesarian. It was only in January that the doc ok'd me riding my exercise bike and taking small walks again. It's all very exciting!
I am also please that I have ridden 12 miles to Disneyworld. That leaves only 1058 left to go! Maybe I can knock out a few before I leave for work.

 

[pettyone]

Welcome to WISH Susie!!

I like the idea of riding your exercise bike to Disney!!! Too cool! I think that is going to be a great motivational tool for you!!

Happy 1/2 birthday to Hooter!!!

 

[Siouxstone]

Thanks Tracy. I'm still very excited to be here.

I went to the doctor today and it was a very good visit. I get to put off surgery for at least 6 months and maybe even for a year. It was almost as exciting as hopping on the scales to find out that I've lost a pound and a half since last friday. The doc was most impressed by how good I looked from my last visit and that's always nice to hear!

I'm riding my bike every chance I get. I'm now 34 miles to WDW. Only 1038 left to go. Maybe I'll snag a map at work so I can mark where I am. That would be cool. I do wonder if the panhandle of Florida will be as boring as it is in the car!

There is a household of relatives coming this weekend. It'll be tough to hold up and not give in to the Rabbit and all his fine confections. Even tougher with a full house. Lots of emotional eating in my family. We get along, we eat. We fight, we eat. We breathe, heck, we eat! It's what we do! I have known for years that my family is fattening!

I hope everyone has a great Easter if I don't get to post before then.

Ok, maybe I'll just eat a pair of ears, then I'll add an extra mile!

 

[pearlieq]

Welcome to the journals!

It sounds like you're on track and have made a lot of positive changes in your life! Great job with your exercise--biking to WDW sounds like fun!

Hope you have a great Easter!

 

[Siouxstone]

I've been reading Pearlieq's journals tonight and I'm very impressed that she's journaled everything she's eaten all this time. I've kept my food journal since I commited to wish 11 days ago, but I have to keep it with me at all times or it doesn't get done. It's very motivating to think that I have to write down every morsel good or bad. It's kept me from eating the unconscious candy at work that I don't even like. Why eat a tootsie roll just because it's there? I used to never think about it. I ate a package of Little Debbie cakes the other night and didn't give it a thought until I had to put it in my journal. I absolutely hate the "Celebration" food people put in the breakroom at work. The journal certainly has helped motivate me to get on the exercise bike every day.
I did slaughter part of a chocolate bunny today. It was pure pre-meditated murder. Nice and simple. I split it with my DH. He called heads and won the coin toss and the ears. It was a congratulations on surviving the extended family weekend. Now if we can just get the house cleaned back up.
I'm now 55 miles closer to WDW. I've turned off of Highway 6 and am now on 290 between Hempstead and Houston! It's pretty cool to have a map with "me" on it!
I hope everyone had a great Easter and has a great week!

 

[Lesli54]

Susie, WELCOME TO THE WISH board!

Congrats on the new baby and trying to make a lifestyle change at the same time. That in itself is courage.

The people here are great and very supportive. Also, I think you will enjoy journaling, as it tends to keep you honest with yourself. Jotting down your food intake really makes you step back and really think. At least we can recognize that we are eating those foods we really don't like just because they are there. (I have learned that I have done the same.)

I love the idea of biking to WDW. Although, I don't think I could get it done before we go in June (almost 20 mi./day is tough).

Have a great day and I am sorry to hear that the bunny was sacrificed, but it probably tasted good, just the same.

 

[rcyannacci]

Greetings from Austin, neighbor! Sounds like you've made a great start. I've been journaling for a few weeks, and it's made a big difference in the way I'm thinking about my progress.

Have a great Monday!

 

[pettyone]

I did slaughter part of a chocolate bunny today. It was pure pre-meditated murder. Nice and simple. I split it with my DH. He called heads and won the coin toss and the ears.

I am SHOCKED and HORRIFIED...
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that you split it with your DH!!!

"Partners in Crime", indeed!!!

 

[pearlieq]

Hey--just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. The journaling is hard work, but it's the only way I've ever succeeded. It helps me make better decisions and it helps me keep track of what I'm eating (am I getting enough nutrients? too much fat?) and the patterns behind it (do I tend to overeat mostly in the afternoon? Is my day better if I eat a big breakfast?)

Isn't the breakroom awful? There's always something in there and it's never fresh fruit! Of course, it can work to your advantage if you have something that MUST get out of the house!

Your bunny tale made me You're very witty!

I love your trip to WDW! That's got to be so cool to know exactly where you "are" on the road! What an awesome idea. I can't wait to follow the rest of your trip!

 

[Siouxstone]

What a busy week, but today, I start a nine day stretch of vacation and days off!! I'm so excited I could just burst. And to think I'm only staying home, doing spring cleaning and playing with the Hooter! I have so much that I want to get done, I'll probably need a vacation after my vacation. It sure did seem like a long week getting here. Why is it that in order to take one week off, you have to do three weeks worth of work to get ahead, but when you come back you have to make up two weeks worth of stuff?
I've got big plans to keep me busy. We've had unbelievably gorgeous weather and I've got a flat of flowers to plant in the front yard. I managed to find the flowerbeds after an hour of raking acorns and oak leaves after work on Saturday. Then it took another hour of picking rocks out of the oak leaves to put back into the rock flowerbed. Now I remember why I've never put rocks in my flowerbeds before. But I do try to remember that I'm keeping busy and burning calories. I do rather enjoy yard work in the spring and fall when it's not too hot and last fall I was too pregnant to get anything done. There's lots to do.
There are also Grandpeople coming to play with Hooter this week. We might even try to slip down to the beach for a day or two. Who knows. If I can keep them from dragging junk food into the house, it'll be just wonderful.
Even though I've been busy, I've still put a few miles on the bike this week. I'm now 98 miles closer to WDW! I can't wait until tomorrow when I'm in the triple digits. I'm glad I'm not really trying to ride through all that Houston traffic though! This is my 18th day journaling every bite I eat. What an eye opener. I've also visited Fitday.com and plugged in a few days of food and activity. According to it, I'm still keeping my calories on a negative side when I turn out the lights at night. That makes me happy. I love that the site lets me put in when I have a busy night and run all over the store. I have yet to plug in my gardening from yesterday or today, but I'm anxious to see how many calories it says I'm burning out there.
I hope everyone has a great week. I hope to get to post a little more than usual, because I hope to log a little more indulgent online time!
Thanks for all the support. I think Y'all are all great!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad to hear that you are doing well. Writing down your food intake sure does make you very aware.

Sounds like you have a busy week ahead and I don't know how a person ends up doing 5 weeks (3 before, 2 after) worth of work just to get over a week off for vacation. Happens here as well. Have fun this week and remember that you will be burning lots and eating less if you stick with your big "to do" list!

Have a good day!

 

[Siouxstone]

Well, it's been an interesting and stressfull vacation. I went off plan for several days. I held on until Wednesday, but have nothing in my eating journals for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I've had some decent activity levels though! In fact, I can't remember being so tired during a stay home vacation.
My poor DH had an accident at work and partially severed his right thumb on Tuesday afternoon. They stitched him all back together and splinted the break. The orthopedic surgeon said that he would be fine, it was a clean break and the large nerves are on the bottom, which he didn't sever. His finger is all splinted up so he looks like this guy! Then the poor guy broke a tooth on Friday. It just wasn't his week.
I have been doing tons of housework and became re-acquainted with the lawn mower. We will be having regular dates for the next 6-8 weekends. (I was a bit disheartened to see how few calories that burned according to FitDay.) I've also ridden every day but Monday and Thursday so I'm sticking to regular schedule there. I do wish DH hadn't wanted Ice Cream on the way back from the hospital, but what can you do? As it is I know he's been very bored, but it's made me very busy. He's always been such help with Hooter, but there is only so much he can do with one hand.
Oh well, I have another vacation coming up in May. My sister's coming to play with the baby and maybe we'll sneak off to Seaworld or something!

 

[Lesli54]

Are you sure we don't have the same DH? Mine sliced off the end of a finger a few months ago and looks like the same guy your DH looks like. Then it was a tooth. Must be one of those guy things.

Anyway, it sounds like you are doing well trying to stay on track.

 

[Siouxstone]

Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted! It seems like just a day or so ago!
Last week was a long one at work. I had to drive to Houston for market meetings and got caught in the traffic both ways. And not the usual stop and go either. This was horrible caught behind several wrecks kind of traffic that ate up my entire 45 minute "nasty traffic" buffer and then some. On the way home, I gave in and drove through McDonalds. I had a diet Coke and a large fry. It's always the fries that get me. As I drove back into traffic, I kept thinking "maybe they'll be cold and gross" over and over. Nope, hot, salty and FANTASTIC! It had been over 4 months since I had been to the golden arches. Gonna try and make it 4 more until the next visit too.
I've now been posting here for a little over a month. I wish that I could find my scales. I may have to break down and get some new ones. I hate obsessing over every pound, but I'd like to know if I've been making a difference or not. I certainly feel better, and my clothes seem a little different, but I'm not sure. It's easier to get up and down off of the floor when I am playing with the baby, so I try to take that as a sign. I'm not sure if I want to know. I mean, what if I've been doing all this hard work, and I've lost almost nothing? How horrible would that be. It would be pretty traumatic!
I have been using Fitday.com every day and it's very eye opening. I translate the foods from my journal into the website and add my activities. That seems very encouraging.
Today, I finished my 168th mile on my way to WDW! I only have 902 more to "ride" in my journey. It was kind of cool when I was driving to Houston to think "I've ridden past this point" when I turned off to go to my destination. I've just passed Winnie, TX on my map and am very near Beaumont! I only have about 40 miles to go until I am out of Texas! It's pretty cool.
Anyway, it's late and I feel like I am rambling. Think I'll have a cup of herbal tea and crack a book.
Lesli54, I hope your DH's finger is all better! It truly must be a guy thing. I hope yours hasn't been as bored as mine. Heaven help me if he broke a leg or something.
I hope everyone is having a great week!

 

[Lesli54]

My DH's finger is better, but now he is working on mending a twisted ankle. I think they just do things without thinking sometimes.

It sounds like you have been doing very well. All of the positives that you mentioned since starting your plan are GREAT! I wouldn't worry too much about what the scale shows. Although, I would find a way to weigh yourself, only because you can use it as a guideline. If you haven't lost much, it is not traumatic, because you have to remember that it takes time and also you are rebuilding a lifestyle. Many times, I think the weight loss is a bonus compared to the fact that I have more energy, feel better, get better sleep, can move around more with the kids, etc.

Keep it up and you will get there!

 

[Siouxstone]

Well, it's been a while. Things here are starting to settle back into a routine with DH going back to work on "light duty." I shudder to think what he believes light duty might be. I really missed my quiet down times with Hoot taking naps, even though it's usually just filled with chores. A quiet house is truly touched by grace right now.
I got a new scale for my kitchen floor. The bathroom is just too small and with this being an older house, there is only one bathroom. (With God as my witness....) But, now I have to walk past them to the fridge and they kind of glare up at me.
I've been pretty blue about the stalemate I had seemed to reach. I've only lost 5 pounds since joining WISH, but I have reminded myself that I was down a lot before. I will say that I was very tempted to jump back on the low carb bandwagon because I know I can loose a lot quickly. But, I've been there and done that and got it all back to show for my troubles. Sometimes it just seems like I go for 3 weeks without dropping a single pound. Maybe I'm past this and am heading downward for another chunk.
I am up to 10 miles a ride on my bike. I ride almost every day and when I do take a day off I am both thankful and guilty. I've now ridden 281 miles and am now near Crowley Louisiana! It's amazing that I've made it this far. I have 788 miles left to go before I reach WDW.
I hope everyone is doing well. It really feels good to post! I hate having a "need to..." hanging over my head!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad to see you back and glad that things are settling back to a norm with you. Yes, the quiet of sleeping baby can't be ignored. I am so thankful that my DS still takes naps. DD7 stopped when she was about 1! Such a shock after the older DD's, who took naps up through the age of 4 or 5.

As far as the lbs., don't worry that things aren't going as quick as you like. Things happen and life gets in the way of our best laid plans. The most important thing is that you are continuing on and in time you will reach your goal.

281 mi? Great job!

 

[Siouxstone]

Well, Harry has taken over my life. I knew it would happen and it is tremendous fun. I'm still a bit stalled on my weightloss, but I'm still riding my bike. I've now made it past Hammond Louisiana and have about 650 miles to go to WDW. If I can still manage to make time to ride during the next 50 days or so, Harry will be on the bookshelves at work and my life will calm down (for a small bit or so!) I'm still here and hanging on, just don't have a lot of time for posting. I should put a Potter countdown on my postings. I have a fab one on my desktop. Well, I'm off. Not supposed to be talking to muggles these days, I've got a Midnight Magic party to pull off for 600 wizards (give or take an elf or two.)
I hope everyone has a little magic in their lives the next few weeks! I wonder if Snape has a weightloss potion....

 

[Lesli54]

What an amusing job you have! By the way, when is the next movie coming out? We have been waiting and waiting?

Well, you may have needed to do less concentrating on your weight loss program, but if you keep up the work on the bike, it will make all the difference when you have more time to dedicate to the plan.

Have a great day.......and let me know if you do get that potion from Snipe!