To be healthy or not to be healthy...comments welcome

[lizdotcom99]

OK, here I am AGAIN!! I am at my heaviest, or close to it. Got on the scale yesterday to find that "somehow" I have managed to gain 287 pounds throughout my 40 years of life.

This year was stressfull....no doubt about it. In the past year we have built a house and moved....twice. And there are still so many "little" thing that need to be worked out with this house. I have found a job and lost a job. A job that I really did like. We have put our beloved little Barkley to rest after 14 great years. We have gotten a new puppy...whom I love but is a ton of work. I have gotten through my first year of being diagnosed with having diabetes. Family problems too numberous to mention and Greg quit smoking OK, so I know that I am a stress eater, but really I NEED to find a better outlet than eating, or very likely this will kill me.

So here I am in my quest for a new healthy me. I am hoping that this time I can make it work. I have a very hard time going solo on these endevours...but Greg has decided to join in, so here is the plan: Greg's boss graciously signed him up to walk the Chicago Marathon. How thoughtful, huh...and he NEEDS to train to get through those 26.2 miles.Training NEEDS to start now...and it has. I will join him in this as well for as long as I can. Not too far in my distant past I did attempt a half marathon. I came very close to finishing. I really do think I can finish at least a half this year. I will try for the full, but I make no promises...to myelf or anyone for that matter. If I am able to finish it, I will be $1000 heavier in the wallet and I am sure I will be nonstop t alking about it....but for now, I really have no true aspirations for getting that done. But I will train....I will train to be a better person with some sort of fitness ability....however great or small it may be. Anything is better than what I have done thus far.

So here is my plan.....Weight Watchers for eating...and training for a marathon...or half.....sso far here is my progress..

Monday:

B: Cereal Bar
L: Subway Chicken Sandwich and a bag of baked chips
D: Chicken breast, cottage cheese, tomatoe slices, peach half and a salad
S: Jello fat free pudding

Exercise: 1 mile on the treadmill with Greg

Tuesday:

B: WW choclate muffin, yogurt
L: Turkey sandwhich, chips and salsa, orange
D: Diet coke chicken, bean, cous cous, cottage cheese
S: 100 calorie cookie pack, orange, grapes and pudding

Exercise: Shoveling A LOT of snow for a half hour

FYI: Chips of any kind are the light chips that have been pre portioned or yes I would eat the entire bag....cookies are the 100 calorie cookie packs, pudding is fat free pre-portioned and so on. I will let you know when it is the real thing.

Goals for today....3 glasses of water instead of pop or tea. Lunch will be quite yummy.....leftover diet coke chicken and cous cous.....search dilligently for a job!

Goals for the next six months...get down to 250 pounds so I can take the Segway tour in Disney in August

Little steps for now and something to think about.....more goals tomorrow!!

 

[keenercam]

Okay, kiddo, so glad you finally made it here! You will definitely find lots of support and and here.

But let’s get one thing fixed before we go any further. You have NOT gained that many pounds in your 40 years. At least give yourself the benefit of subtracting the pounds you brought into this world with you!

So, you are off to a great start. A strong start. 2 very awesome days completely ON PLAN and exercise thrown in there, too!

I am looking forward to sharing your journey and encouraging you along the way. I know you can do this, Liz. You have already taken the hardest step – the first one. Just take it one day at a time. In fact, take it one meal at a time.

Be sure to PM me if I can help, sweetie!

 

[traceycooper]

Welcome to wish
I hope you manage to finish that marathon, your off to a great start, well done

 

[lizdotcom99]

But let’s get one thing fixed before we go any further. You have NOT gained that many pounds in your 40 years. At least give yourself the benefit of subtracting the pounds you brought into this world with you!

Now that was OK so I have gained 280 pounds in my 40 years....almost 41! Whew! I feel so much better now that I got that all cleared up. But thank you so much Cam, for your encouragement! You know you mean the word to me and it is so nice to have someone like you in my corner. Goodness knows I need all the help I can get!!

Tracy, Hi there, and thank you for your encouragement as well. Always nice to know you have strength in numbers!!!

Well I am two for two on the exercise thing. Greg and I went to the gym agian last night for a mile on the tread mill. It took just about a half an hour for me, but I am OK with that. I have 2 miles logged for the week. I don't think we will be getting anything done at the gym tonight as we are having a few people over to finish some things that need to be done at the house. I will be very excited to have my bedroom drapes hung and to have the dining rooom table out of the den and off to the consignment shop. I never really liked that et, but LOVE the one we have now.

Dinner plans tonight should be yummy if they turn out anything like diet coke chicken, as tonight we are doing diet coke pork. I went last night and bought some really nice center cut pork chops with very little fat on them. I will trim them a bit further and add my ketchup and diet coke and call it dinner. I will be having cous cous, green beans, cottage cheese and a salad too! ANd the good thing about all of this....I bought enough pork chops for leftovers too! Methinks this will take care of tomoorw night too if I switch up a few things.

Yeterday's eating went really well. In fact, at the end of the evening I was scrambling to eat all of my points....so here goes the list of food for yesterday:

B: Leftover diet coke chicken and cous cous (about 1/2 a serving)
Diet mountain dew
Water (one bottle)
L: Leftover diet coke chicken and Cous Cous (about 1/2 a serving)
Chips and salsa
Yogurt
D: Chicken breast
Cottage Cheese
1/2 Hard bolied egg
1/2 peach half
Salad w/ff dressing
5 olives
SUgar free jello and cool whip
Water
S: 1 serving of dry ww Banana cereal ( I NEVER need to eat that again)
orange
ff pudding
ww ice cream bar


I did not get all of my water in yeterday. I am going to try harder today to accomplish that. I also find myself eating "junk" because I can just to use some points. I think I am going to rethink this and work on eating better protien and fewer carbs.....right after breakfast. You see WW has some really good chocolate muffins that I was going to have for breakfast with a yogurt. I am soo bad! Anyway that is the plan for today. Thanks for letting me share!!

 

[keenercam]

Great job on the TM, Liz!
Those are 2 miles you wouldn't have even dreamed of walking last week!
Let me know how the diet coke pork is.
I ran into the same issue with flex. I tended to eat low point foods throughout the day and then spent about a quarter or a third of my daily points allowance on late night snacks and desserts just because I had the points to spend. That is one of the reasons I switched to core -- I just had to get past those bad habits and get my eating under control.
Please remember that you need 2 dairy servings each day and 2 tsp of healthy oils. That will help you use up some points, too. Usually my 1 cup of skim milk (2 points), my 1 cup of fat free cottage cheese or non-fat yogurt (2) and 2 tsp of olive oil (2.5) uses up 6.5 points!!!! But I know my weight loss is so much faster with the oil and the dairy and studies are showing that is, in fact, true. There are options that would use fewer points and still get you those requirements, so you might want to look into them.

Keep up the great work, kiddo! You are always going to remember that this was the week you turned your life around and got on the path to a healthier, fitter you! Chicago Half Marathon here you come!

 

[lindalinda]

Welcome to WISH! It sounds like you are getting a really good start now! I have just starting walking on the treadmill myself and its a really good workout! Good Luck!

 

[lizdotcom99]

And thanks for the warm welcome!!

Well yesterday I did delve into my flex points.....see what happens when you don't get those measly AP's!! And yes, as planned, we did not make it to the gym...but we had a strong feeling that was going to be the case. Tonight for sure we will be hitting the treadmill though.

Although I went into my flex points, I am not feeling too bad about it...I was over by 2.6 points! Not too big of a deal. I will work harder today at eating less junk. I did have to pick up a few things from the store yesterday and got VERY lucky as far a sales went. I bought boneless skinless chiken breasts frozen in a bag...buy one get 2 free....so for $12 I got 9 pounds of frozen chicken breasts...and diet coke chicken is now a staple at our house! Thanks for that, Cam! I have to tell you that the pork is quite yummy too. We will be haivng leftovers tonight with that. And Greg is really not a leftover person and said he is looking forward to dinner tonight.

The next few days will be tuff for me. I have to stick around home until the insurance adjuster comes. I got into a little fender bender at the post office the other day. There is a really funny but LONG story that goes with this, but the short version is that somebody hit me coming out of our parking spaces at the post office. Her fault not mine....and she is not well liked within the community. So it was kind of funny when Mrs. Perfect had a little accident. The good news is, nobody was hurt...and it was her fault. But now I have to wait for her adjuster to come and look at my car...could take up to three days. So, cross your fingers that the adjuster will come today and I don't have to sit at home today, Monday and Tuesday!

So here is what I ate yesterday:

B: Yogurt
Muffin

L: Turkey Sandwich
Chips
Pudding

D: Diet Coke Pork.....just as yummy as the chicken...but differant
Green beans
Salad with FF catalina dressing
Cous Cous
SF Jello

S: 3 oranges
muffin (Homemade 4 point muffin)
chips and salsa

And that is my day.......I REALLY need to work on my water. I have not been good with that at all. The muffins I make are very tasty, and so easy. I box of cake mix.....I use carrot, but this is allso very good with chocolate. 1 12 oz can of pumpkin....mix and bake. That is all there is to it. I make mine into cupcakes. One box makes 10 cupcakes. They are 4 points each, but very yummy. Add a dollop of cool whip for a little extra something. I figured I was better off making the muffins than thte chocolate chip cookies I was going to make. The drapery installer guy was coming and I have always fed him in the past.....I really could not break tradition.....and he really liked the muffin and had NO CLUE it was low fat. I will allow myself one a day.

Goals for today include:

1 mile on the treadmill
3 bottles of water
Not getting on the scale (the scale is my enemy! I will wait until Monday when I weigh in first thing in the morning.)
Work on getting more protien in my diet....I have definately noticed that I am eating A LOT of carbs and this is not boding well with my diabetes. I may have to take a closer look at core...but still count points. Does peanut butter count as a good oil/fat. I definately have the dairy servings down!

Thank for the encouragement! It is much appreciated.

 

[CaroleD]

Just dropped by to read your posts. I really like your realistic goals so I'll be checking in often. I've done WW and it really does work. Especially if you keep a food journal. I found it hard to be honest about writing it all down. Somehow is it didn't get written in I didn't eat it. lol. Once I got really honest the pounds came off. I've been a life member for a few years now. Though I'm at the heavy end of my normal range right now so need to start tracking down again. This time I'm doing it with exercise mainly. Though I am eating very healthily. Once you've done WW for a long time I think eating healthy comes very naturally.

Do give yourself a good breakfast daily. It sets your metabolism for the day. If you skimp on breakfast your body says "Oh she is not going to feed us well today...better store food away". Wheras a good breakfast fools your body into giving up those stores. Eating frequent small meals will increase your weight loss.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Thanks Carole, for the words of wisdom. Being diabetic, I have learned to eat a little more often during the day.....now to figure out the smaller and healthier portions

I am just checking in to keep it real. I am having a moment! If one more person comes here today to fix what was not done right the first time I am going to scream. I think I have had enough for this week.....ah, the stress of a new home seems to be very real and very fresh today. So, please excuse me while I vent. I am thinking keeping my hands busy typing rather than eating is what I need to do right now....cause I REALLY want or think I NEED that muffin I promised myself later in the day.

On a lighter note, I did get one whole bottle of water down and I have started my second. I guess it is better to get that out of the way early?

I think I am going to have some soup and a sandwhich today for lunch....going to have to see what kind of low point yummy soup I can find in the cupboard. Here's looking foward to a lighter me at my own weigh in on Monday morning!

 

[keenercam]

YAY, Liz, on typing rather than eating! I hope your day has gotten better.

I wanted to answer your question on healthy oils (sorry I didn't get to call you with the answer). I figured if I put it here, you will have it for future reference. The healthy oils requirement on WW is 2 tsp/day. I use olive oil, but you can also use canola.
The list is as follows:
oil, canola*
oil, flaxseed*
oil, olive*
oil, safflower*
oil, sunflower*
WW is very definitive and it cannot be foods like peanut butter or nuts, etc., though I think that was the case on the old WW plan.
I hope this helps.
BTW, the healthy oils can be points-costly, but if you use them in stir fry or something like that, they make the food more tasty and you won't feel so bad about using the points.

 

[lizdotcom99]

I just wanted to check in and let you know that I got my one mile walk in and ate well too! I even drank all of my water for the day. There is a very good possibility that I may be MIA for a while. This afternoon my father, who lives in Florida was found on the floor and unrepsonsive. This evening he is still unresponsive and it is looking like he has had a massive stroke. He also has severe pnuemonia to boot. His situation in very grave. LAst check, his blood pressure was 214/120. We will have more conclusive facts tomorrow about what is going on. For now, he is in the ICU. Once we hear about what I going on with my dad, I will decide if I will be headed to Florida or wait to see what a few days does. I still have 6 points to kill, but 3 of those are AP's....going to find something to eat and call it a night.

 

[CaroleD]

So sorry to hear about your dad. Its so much harder when you are far away like that. Take care.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Just checking in again today. Eating went well yeterday. Stayed within my points and got my walk and water in too! I am just a bit fried right now to post eveerything. I am headed to Florida in the morning as it is just a matter of time for my dad. The idea is to stay on plan as much as posible. I have a feeling a lot of time is going to be spent at the hospital. Not sure that I am going to have time or computer access, so I will check in when I get back. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. They are much appreciated.

 

[traceycooper]

Liz so sorry to here about your dad
Take good care of yourself & we will be here for you when you return.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Frustration has sert in. I can't even begin to express my stress levels at this time. I made it to Florida on cheat day.....my sister is working on a healthier her and Sunday was cheat day. Not easy to be good on cheat day...and I wasn't, so I think we best not even go there.

Monday was a better day eating wise...stayed on track for most of the day. There were a few infractions...read white chocolate mocha...but I did use some restraint and only got a small.

STRESS has got the best of me though. My dad amzed all of us on Sunday as he was up and about as if nothing had ever happend. As the day went on, he kind of started getting the deer in the headlights kind of look. He seemed to look through you rather than at you. It was a little unnerving. As my sister and I left thte hospital that evening though, my dad told me very sternly to "Get a Haircut!". And in all reality, I could use one.

Yesterday was a total differant story. My dad has become very confused, delusional and was hallucinating. They had to restrain him as he pulled all of his stuff out. He was not happy about being restrained....and when asked where he was, he said a hotel. This is SOOOO difficult for me to deal with. My big, strong dad has now become somebody I have no clue about. I am not dealing with this too well. My sisters have been down this road with my dad several times before. And I have not really caught this part of his behavior in the past as when I get here....he miraculously is on the mend.

His blood pressure is still soaring high...and the pneumonia is still there, but seems to be getting better....a little each day. He had an MRI yesterday to see what was going on in his brain, we were hopeful for a tumor ( to describe some of these behavior and delusion issues) but that came back just fine. So, he has not had a stroke, does not have a brain tumor and no one can figure out why he took a three day nap....and where this dimentia, delusion and hallucination is coming from. We are all beyond frustrated. In the past when his behavior has been such, his sodium was the problem. That is not the case this time.

If that was not enough, at visiting hours with my dad, we got a call from my mom. My step-dad, (who I am not real fond of)....was being taken to the hospital because they thought he was having a heart attack. After visitng hours were over with my dad, we went to sit in the ER waiting room with my mom. My mom was quite persistant in trying to get my sister and I to go back and see him, but neither one of us really wanted to and we gently told her so. At 11 we finally had to go....as exhaustion had set in and me and my sister both were overdue on our meds and needed to get home to take them.

I am not sure what today brings. I am certain there will be more frustration, fear, uncertainty...but I am going to work on having some good food habbits. Not an easy thing to do right now. I never made it for my walk yesteday either....when I woke up nice and early....I woke to rain. So, I will try to get that in sometime today if possible.

Thanks for listening to my venting....I just needed a place to try to put this all into words. I am hopeful for a better day today!!

 

[keenercam]

Liz-- I am sorry you are going through all of this. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Just do the best you can with food for now and don't beat yourself up if your choices are limited. Remember to take care of you -- eat when you are supposed to so that you can take your meds. Sending you a hug, sweetie!

 

[toystoryduo]

Liz,

I'm sorry to hear about all that you are going through. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. During this stressful time, please take extra special good care of you.

 

[traceycooper]

Liz
I hope your dad & step dad improve.
It must be so hard for everyone, take each day at a time & remember to look after yourself - dont want to hear you end up ill too!