Argh.
Car stress continues. Hub called the Kia dealer and I am meeting him at the halfway point (he’s working and hour & a half from home) so we can swap cars so I can drop his at the dealer. I hope I get it back quickly because 1) my son’s car isn’t my favorite (Jeep) and 2) I need to get the registration on my car renewed. OTOH, after dropping this car off 4 or 5 times and spending a fortune, I want the thing fixed already!!!!
Food yesterday was good. I walked 30 minutes at lunch. I wanted to go to the gym after work but had to drop my car off to get inspected & take care of a couple of errands. So that didn’t happen. Hopefully I can meet hub, drop the car, get a ride home, get something to eat, and have time to get to the 7:15 body sculpt class at the gym. If not I’ll just swing my kettlebell or walk in the neighborhood and call it good. They will be having the class again Thursday.
After talking to the manager at Merchants Tire, I understand the confusion around getting my car’s alignment fixed. The upshot is it’s gonna cost $200, so I think we’ll wait to pay for that next month since we already spent a bazilliondy dollars this month on car repairs.
I am stressed by a lot of things, both big and little. Big: car repairs and trying to get this home re-fi done (I pretend it’s a scavenger hunt!) and little: Why can my MIL clean what I want her to when she comes over to clean? I mean, she isn’t doing this out of the goodness of her heart, I’m paying her, so why can’t she follow instructions!?!?!? Some days I regret offering to let her clean, but if we hadn’t how on earth would she have worked off any portion of the $800+ we spent getting her car fixed???
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Something that might help!
Great post today over at http://yawwblog.blogspot.com/ about a virtual weight loss meeting. I love the concept. Lately, I've been overwhelmed by taking take of everything alone all week while hub is out of town and having to deal with everything from car troubles to the boy wanting me to drop all my plans so he can hang out with the new girlfriend.
I've felt overwhelmed at the thought of trying this (again) for the 4 billionth time - getting aroutine going seems like Mt. Everest right now. Maybe participating will help!
Here's my answers to the questions she posted (some, I felt exactly the same!):
1. What is going well for you right now? I haven’t decided that losing weight is impossible – I haven’t thrown in the towel!
2. Where do you need to improve? Evening snacking, getting to the gym.
3. What new recipe do you want to try this week? None – right now I’m focused on cooking healthy but easy & familiar recipes so I have time to go to the gym.
4. What was your favorite new food find or recipe from last week? I made a simple moo shu pork recipe that involved a bag of cabbage mix. Simple!
5. What is your general weight trend right now? Unfortunately, up.
6. How do you feel about your weight loss efforts? Frustrated, stuck, and overwhelmed
7. What is your weight loss goal for next week? To lose a pound.
8. What two weight-loss behavior goals do you plan to give 100% to this week? Sticking to my pre-planned food and going to the gym.
9. What do you fear most about trying to get group support? People making light about the stuff I am finding difficult right now.
10. What can other people give you that would be truly helpful? A sense that I'm not going it alone
Great post today over at http://yawwblog.blogspot.com/ about a virtual weight loss meeting. I love the concept. Lately, I've been overwhelmed by taking take of everything alone all week while hub is out of town and having to deal with everything from car troubles to the boy wanting me to drop all my plans so he can hang out with the new girlfriend.
I've felt overwhelmed at the thought of trying this (again) for the 4 billionth time - getting aroutine going seems like Mt. Everest right now. Maybe participating will help!
Here's my answers to the questions she posted (some, I felt exactly the same!):
1. What is going well for you right now? I haven’t decided that losing weight is impossible – I haven’t thrown in the towel!
2. Where do you need to improve? Evening snacking, getting to the gym.
3. What new recipe do you want to try this week? None – right now I’m focused on cooking healthy but easy & familiar recipes so I have time to go to the gym.
4. What was your favorite new food find or recipe from last week? I made a simple moo shu pork recipe that involved a bag of cabbage mix. Simple!
5. What is your general weight trend right now? Unfortunately, up.
6. How do you feel about your weight loss efforts? Frustrated, stuck, and overwhelmed
7. What is your weight loss goal for next week? To lose a pound.
8. What two weight-loss behavior goals do you plan to give 100% to this week? Sticking to my pre-planned food and going to the gym.
9. What do you fear most about trying to get group support? People making light about the stuff I am finding difficult right now.
10. What can other people give you that would be truly helpful? A sense that I'm not going it alone
Why I remain overweight
Because food is an effective way of dealing with stress!
Sure, it’s not the healthiest way. And people say “It’s only temporary.” Yeah, well, stress always comes back, whether you deal with it via meditation or nachos!
Hub is working out of town until October 5, son just started back to school. We’ve spent roughly $1400 over the past 3 months at 1 shop plus the dealership in an effort to get the minivan’s brakes fixed. We thought they were done after a visit last weekend to the dealer, but this past Sunday they made “the noise” again. I cried. I mean, I don’t know what to do at this point. Spending over $500 a month getting the brakes fixed over and over doesn’t seem like a logical choice.
Hub needs something to carry his tools for work, and we need something that will haul the trailer. He found a truck that would work for about $1000 more than we could sell the van for. It’s a 1994 (10 years older) and has 77K miles, which is a lot less. An older guy who worked for the dealership bought it new & didn’t drive it much. Which means it could be in great shape or have problems. I don’t know what to do.
When it mde “the noise”, we were going to Merchant’s to get my car picked up. I have an alignment package where I’ve paid an up front cost for alignments. Only when I went to pick up the car he said they couldn’t align the back b/c the parts weren’t available & I should call the dealer. The dealer seemed confused and said the parts weren’t Nissan and they would have thought Merchant’s could have been able to get them. So roughly $100 - $175 at the dealer to get the back aligned when I’ve paid Merchant’s for alignments.
I’m kinda tired of money going at a speed double at which we earn it. Which is maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure feels that way some days. Cars are such a pain in the ass. They are huge money pits and it just seems to never end.
Because food is an effective way of dealing with stress!
Sure, it’s not the healthiest way. And people say “It’s only temporary.” Yeah, well, stress always comes back, whether you deal with it via meditation or nachos!
Hub is working out of town until October 5, son just started back to school. We’ve spent roughly $1400 over the past 3 months at 1 shop plus the dealership in an effort to get the minivan’s brakes fixed. We thought they were done after a visit last weekend to the dealer, but this past Sunday they made “the noise” again. I cried. I mean, I don’t know what to do at this point. Spending over $500 a month getting the brakes fixed over and over doesn’t seem like a logical choice.
Hub needs something to carry his tools for work, and we need something that will haul the trailer. He found a truck that would work for about $1000 more than we could sell the van for. It’s a 1994 (10 years older) and has 77K miles, which is a lot less. An older guy who worked for the dealership bought it new & didn’t drive it much. Which means it could be in great shape or have problems. I don’t know what to do.
When it mde “the noise”, we were going to Merchant’s to get my car picked up. I have an alignment package where I’ve paid an up front cost for alignments. Only when I went to pick up the car he said they couldn’t align the back b/c the parts weren’t available & I should call the dealer. The dealer seemed confused and said the parts weren’t Nissan and they would have thought Merchant’s could have been able to get them. So roughly $100 - $175 at the dealer to get the back aligned when I’ve paid Merchant’s for alignments.
I’m kinda tired of money going at a speed double at which we earn it. Which is maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure feels that way some days. Cars are such a pain in the ass. They are huge money pits and it just seems to never end.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Bleh.
It's the time of year when I feel "bleh". It's coming back from vacation, son starting back to school, getting back into the swing of things at work, etc. It all adds up to a serious lack of motivation and a strong desire to sit on my butt reading a book.
Got up & walked in the neighborhood, packed a healthy lunch, & have a yummy & healthy dinner scheduled for tonight. Just keep moving, right?
It's the time of year when I feel "bleh". It's coming back from vacation, son starting back to school, getting back into the swing of things at work, etc. It all adds up to a serious lack of motivation and a strong desire to sit on my butt reading a book.
Got up & walked in the neighborhood, packed a healthy lunch, & have a yummy & healthy dinner scheduled for tonight. Just keep moving, right?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Remember those goals?
A few posts and a few weeks ago, I posted 4 goals for myself. I read over them yesterday.
1. Better job of planning & preparing food/not relying on Slim-Fast or the cafeteria. Busted! I had S-F on the grocery list. I took it off, and am hitting the farmer’s market on the way home today to get veggies I can pre-chop for salads. Breakfast will be my green drink and pb toast.
2. Exercising more faithfully. Yes. Yay! I walked at Pennsic, and have kept it up here at home. I printed out all the schedules of classes at the Y for the month and told the boy I’d be going next week. He wants to come along. Also, I ordered hub a book on bodyweight exercises so he could get in some exercise while out of town. Good start!
3. Working on things I enjoy. I have scheduled a week off work next month so I can paint my living & dining rooms, hallway, and entrance. And make new valences. Also, I have scheduled in a weekend to make a slip cover for the new sectional sofa. It’s a start!
4. Thinking of myself as healthy. I think this will be a work in progress. But being down about 3 pounds from my pre-vacation weight is helping. And I think regular exercise will be positive reinforcement. As of today, I weigh 182.2. An improvement!
Next week hub has asked for mexican casserole to take out of town with him. That's a nutritious meal that he loves. I am doing 2 meals for myself & the boy, which we can eat twice. This keeps my cooking to a reasonable level. I am planning spagetti and moo shu pork (lots of vegetables, little meat).
There is still loads of unpacking to do, but the laundry is almost done. MIL came over yesterday and really helped out.
Have a great weekend!
A few posts and a few weeks ago, I posted 4 goals for myself. I read over them yesterday.
1. Better job of planning & preparing food/not relying on Slim-Fast or the cafeteria. Busted! I had S-F on the grocery list. I took it off, and am hitting the farmer’s market on the way home today to get veggies I can pre-chop for salads. Breakfast will be my green drink and pb toast.
2. Exercising more faithfully. Yes. Yay! I walked at Pennsic, and have kept it up here at home. I printed out all the schedules of classes at the Y for the month and told the boy I’d be going next week. He wants to come along. Also, I ordered hub a book on bodyweight exercises so he could get in some exercise while out of town. Good start!
3. Working on things I enjoy. I have scheduled a week off work next month so I can paint my living & dining rooms, hallway, and entrance. And make new valences. Also, I have scheduled in a weekend to make a slip cover for the new sectional sofa. It’s a start!
4. Thinking of myself as healthy. I think this will be a work in progress. But being down about 3 pounds from my pre-vacation weight is helping. And I think regular exercise will be positive reinforcement. As of today, I weigh 182.2. An improvement!
Next week hub has asked for mexican casserole to take out of town with him. That's a nutritious meal that he loves. I am doing 2 meals for myself & the boy, which we can eat twice. This keeps my cooking to a reasonable level. I am planning spagetti and moo shu pork (lots of vegetables, little meat).
There is still loads of unpacking to do, but the laundry is almost done. MIL came over yesterday and really helped out.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Misc.
Vacation was nice. Hot, but nice.
I’m caught up on emails at work. Not quite on all my tasks, but getting there as well. Should be up to date by the end of the week.
Monday hub called from work to let me know he would be working about an hour and half from home for the next couple of months. They wanted him to start at the new job site yesterday, but he had a dental appt and needed 2 new tires on his car, so he headed out this morning. We have a friend who is about half an hour from the job, so he’ll be staying with Todd during the week and coming home on the weekends. This sucks, but we’ve done it before. We’re both happy that he has a job and grateful he has a free place to stay with a kitchen so he won’t have to be eating out all the time or driving 3 hours a day!
When we got home, MIL’s car was making a funny noise, so Monday hub loaned her my car and we took hers to the shop yesterday. Total cost was over $800, but everything including the A/C and window are now fixed. We sat down with her and worked out a plan: currently she cleans for us twice a month. We’ll pay her for the second cleaning this month then she won’t get anything for the next four months in order to repay my mom (funny, she seemed to have forgotten she’d borrowed $400 from my mom). After that we’ll pay her for every other cleaning for all of next year. That will cover most of the expense of the repairs.
She doesn’t make a lot in social security so I know she can’t pay us out of that. Having her clean for us seemed a good way to help her cover some of this unexpected stuff, I just didn’t expect to “loan” her so much up front. Oh well. That seemed like the most fair plan. If we could just foot the bill we would, but honestly we’ve put a lot of $$ into plumbing and hub’s car lately, and with his job situation still a bit tenuous, we just can’t.
I am doing something I feel weird about: I am using Slim-Fast. Yeah, I know, not the healthiest. I have just gotten so overwhelmed with everything that major cooking on the weekends feels like too much. I am doing a low-cal green shake in the AM (banana, greens, green powder) and also eating a raw veg salad with lunch. This is far from an ideal way to eat, but until I get everything washed up and put away from vacation (the sheer logistics of which would shock someone who’s never done this. I currently have 8 large Rubbermaid tubs in my garage and a 50 gal trach can full of laundry that all need to be dealt with), it’s a way for me to control my calories and not just eat out all the time.
I hate that hub won’t be able to go to the gym with me. :-( But I am walking in the mornings and I’ll be starting back next week. The boy starts back to school next Wednesday. I can’t believe how summer always flies by!
Vacation was nice. Hot, but nice.
I’m caught up on emails at work. Not quite on all my tasks, but getting there as well. Should be up to date by the end of the week.
Monday hub called from work to let me know he would be working about an hour and half from home for the next couple of months. They wanted him to start at the new job site yesterday, but he had a dental appt and needed 2 new tires on his car, so he headed out this morning. We have a friend who is about half an hour from the job, so he’ll be staying with Todd during the week and coming home on the weekends. This sucks, but we’ve done it before. We’re both happy that he has a job and grateful he has a free place to stay with a kitchen so he won’t have to be eating out all the time or driving 3 hours a day!
When we got home, MIL’s car was making a funny noise, so Monday hub loaned her my car and we took hers to the shop yesterday. Total cost was over $800, but everything including the A/C and window are now fixed. We sat down with her and worked out a plan: currently she cleans for us twice a month. We’ll pay her for the second cleaning this month then she won’t get anything for the next four months in order to repay my mom (funny, she seemed to have forgotten she’d borrowed $400 from my mom). After that we’ll pay her for every other cleaning for all of next year. That will cover most of the expense of the repairs.
She doesn’t make a lot in social security so I know she can’t pay us out of that. Having her clean for us seemed a good way to help her cover some of this unexpected stuff, I just didn’t expect to “loan” her so much up front. Oh well. That seemed like the most fair plan. If we could just foot the bill we would, but honestly we’ve put a lot of $$ into plumbing and hub’s car lately, and with his job situation still a bit tenuous, we just can’t.
I am doing something I feel weird about: I am using Slim-Fast. Yeah, I know, not the healthiest. I have just gotten so overwhelmed with everything that major cooking on the weekends feels like too much. I am doing a low-cal green shake in the AM (banana, greens, green powder) and also eating a raw veg salad with lunch. This is far from an ideal way to eat, but until I get everything washed up and put away from vacation (the sheer logistics of which would shock someone who’s never done this. I currently have 8 large Rubbermaid tubs in my garage and a 50 gal trach can full of laundry that all need to be dealt with), it’s a way for me to control my calories and not just eat out all the time.
I hate that hub won’t be able to go to the gym with me. :-( But I am walking in the mornings and I’ll be starting back next week. The boy starts back to school next Wednesday. I can’t believe how summer always flies by!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
I'm back!!!
It was hot, but we had a great time. We are slowly unpacking. I missed the dogs. I walked every other morning with one of the folks in our camp at 7 for about an hour - it was lovely.
I remain convinced it's very difficult to eat healthfully while primitive camping, but I did my best.
I got up at 5 and walked for 45 minutes. I was sweating like crazy (the humidity was unbelievable!), but AM walking was a good habit I have once again re-formed. :-)
It was hot, but we had a great time. We are slowly unpacking. I missed the dogs. I walked every other morning with one of the folks in our camp at 7 for about an hour - it was lovely.
I remain convinced it's very difficult to eat healthfully while primitive camping, but I did my best.
I got up at 5 and walked for 45 minutes. I was sweating like crazy (the humidity was unbelievable!), but AM walking was a good habit I have once again re-formed. :-)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Some Goals
Post vacation, things are always a bit unsettled as the school year kicks in and we establish a new routine. But with the boy older and his routine being much as it was last year, hopefully the anarchy will be kept to a minimum.
As annoying as it is when someone swears they'll start something "tomorrow", I do want to set some goals for myself once we return from vacation.
1. A better job of planning & preparing food. I've been relying on the cafeteria and Slim-Fast too much, neither of which is healthy. (Their "healthy choice" selections do not meet my definition of healthy, sorry.)
2. Exercising more faithfully:
Post vacation, things are always a bit unsettled as the school year kicks in and we establish a new routine. But with the boy older and his routine being much as it was last year, hopefully the anarchy will be kept to a minimum.
As annoying as it is when someone swears they'll start something "tomorrow", I do want to set some goals for myself once we return from vacation.
1. A better job of planning & preparing food. I've been relying on the cafeteria and Slim-Fast too much, neither of which is healthy. (Their "healthy choice" selections do not meet my definition of healthy, sorry.)
2. Exercising more faithfully:
- Ride bike with hub 1 per week
- Walk in the neighborhood (this is more meditation than exercise) 3 per week
- Kettlebells 2 per week
- Classes at the Y - 2 per week
3. Working on things I enjoy, like painting and sculpy.
4. Thinking of myself as a healthy, active person and acting accordingly. I often sabotoge myself by "I can't" thinking. Bag that!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Twas the week before Pennsic
and I'm going nuts.
It's partly my fault - I've been suffering from scope creep. "Oh look, I bought the duck to make G's new marshals tabard and there's enough to make another. I'll make T a tabard too - he's an MIT and I'm sure he'd like a spiffy new marshals tabard..."
Pants still need hemming & elastic, turkish coat still needs buttons and button holes AND I have 2 aprons cut out, not to mention the marshals tabards. Oh, 1 pair of the boy’s pants are hemmed - I want him to try them on to be sure before I hem the other 2 (they're pinned).
Hub worked all day Sunday (unexpectedly), so I have boxes that are packed but still sitting in my kitchen. Calgon, take me away!!!
I need to make banana bread, slice & freeze, get that stuff out of my kitchen, and then pack up as much as I can before they leave Saturday morning. Anything left will go with me. I hope it's just a cooler and a small overnight bag, and a few ends & odds.
To make things worse, I'm sick. I have a sinus infection. You know, the kind where you feel like someone is randomly stabbing you in the ear with an ice pick? Yeah, that one. This is the worst ear pain of my adult life. And naturally I go to the clinic at work and get the PA that doesn't believe in drugs because we overuse antibiotics. Yes we do, and any other day I'd agree. But my ^&***( ear HURTS, I'm tired, I'm sick, and I want something to make it all better!!!!!!! She said come back Friday if I still wasn't feeling good.
Really, driving through the mountains of WV with an sinus infection sounds like so much fun.
Needless to say, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back. Cause using my neti pot twice a day isn't cutting it this time.
Meanwhile I'm tired & feel crappy. Not the best way to spend the week before Pennsic. :-(
and I'm going nuts.
It's partly my fault - I've been suffering from scope creep. "Oh look, I bought the duck to make G's new marshals tabard and there's enough to make another. I'll make T a tabard too - he's an MIT and I'm sure he'd like a spiffy new marshals tabard..."
Pants still need hemming & elastic, turkish coat still needs buttons and button holes AND I have 2 aprons cut out, not to mention the marshals tabards. Oh, 1 pair of the boy’s pants are hemmed - I want him to try them on to be sure before I hem the other 2 (they're pinned).
Hub worked all day Sunday (unexpectedly), so I have boxes that are packed but still sitting in my kitchen. Calgon, take me away!!!
I need to make banana bread, slice & freeze, get that stuff out of my kitchen, and then pack up as much as I can before they leave Saturday morning. Anything left will go with me. I hope it's just a cooler and a small overnight bag, and a few ends & odds.
To make things worse, I'm sick. I have a sinus infection. You know, the kind where you feel like someone is randomly stabbing you in the ear with an ice pick? Yeah, that one. This is the worst ear pain of my adult life. And naturally I go to the clinic at work and get the PA that doesn't believe in drugs because we overuse antibiotics. Yes we do, and any other day I'd agree. But my ^&***( ear HURTS, I'm tired, I'm sick, and I want something to make it all better!!!!!!! She said come back Friday if I still wasn't feeling good.
Really, driving through the mountains of WV with an sinus infection sounds like so much fun.
Needless to say, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back. Cause using my neti pot twice a day isn't cutting it this time.
Meanwhile I'm tired & feel crappy. Not the best way to spend the week before Pennsic. :-(
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
No, I haven't quit
Work has been INSANE. Between that and getting ready for vacation (I know that sounds weird, but trust me that spending two weeks primitive camping in a medieval style pavillion wearing medieval clothes with 10,000 other people requires planning & preparation), I have been swamped.
Despite that, I'm doing okay. Boring breakfast, boring lunch (green drink and soup), walking in the mornings before work (which feels like exercising in a microwaved sponge, ah, summer in the south).
I guess I'm in "hanging in there" mode. :-)
Work has been INSANE. Between that and getting ready for vacation (I know that sounds weird, but trust me that spending two weeks primitive camping in a medieval style pavillion wearing medieval clothes with 10,000 other people requires planning & preparation), I have been swamped.
Despite that, I'm doing okay. Boring breakfast, boring lunch (green drink and soup), walking in the mornings before work (which feels like exercising in a microwaved sponge, ah, summer in the south).
I guess I'm in "hanging in there" mode. :-)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I'm not dead yet
This week is kinda nuts - working late due to some tight deadlines. But I plan to jet out early on Friday, so that'll give me a bit of time to catch up.
Allergies have been ick, energy has been low. But I'm still packing my lunch, and I've been very good with having my green drink every morning, so I'm starting the day with a healthy dose of fruit & veg.
Anyway, still here, still busy. Plumbing needed work, le sigh. Sometimes I think hoem ownership is overrated!
This week is kinda nuts - working late due to some tight deadlines. But I plan to jet out early on Friday, so that'll give me a bit of time to catch up.
Allergies have been ick, energy has been low. But I'm still packing my lunch, and I've been very good with having my green drink every morning, so I'm starting the day with a healthy dose of fruit & veg.
Anyway, still here, still busy. Plumbing needed work, le sigh. Sometimes I think hoem ownership is overrated!
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Clothes
I needed a couple of more summer tops, as the temps here have reached those in Hades. I am of a size that I can shop in "regular" stores, but can't wear just anything. Coupon in hand, I went to Kohl's.
Can I just say (like it hasn't been stated a billion times before by every other overweight woman in America) that clothes that run in any size larger than "L" are clearly designed to punish women for "letting themselves go"? You can look like you're on a cruise with your grandma, wear t-shirts made out of stretchy material with a design that looks like cat puke, etc. Like going in the dressing room isn't enough.
Had a green drink for breakfast, along with a piece of pb toast. Lunch will be either soup or salad - I didn't have time to cook over the weekend, so my fate is in the hands of the cafeteria.
I needed a couple of more summer tops, as the temps here have reached those in Hades. I am of a size that I can shop in "regular" stores, but can't wear just anything. Coupon in hand, I went to Kohl's.
Can I just say (like it hasn't been stated a billion times before by every other overweight woman in America) that clothes that run in any size larger than "L" are clearly designed to punish women for "letting themselves go"? You can look like you're on a cruise with your grandma, wear t-shirts made out of stretchy material with a design that looks like cat puke, etc. Like going in the dressing room isn't enough.
Had a green drink for breakfast, along with a piece of pb toast. Lunch will be either soup or salad - I didn't have time to cook over the weekend, so my fate is in the hands of the cafeteria.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The week in review
Overall, I did a good job with my eating, except yesterday afternoon. What I didn't do was get enough exercise! I allowed stress to undermine that this week. Must remember that exercise helps stress!!!
The scale bumped up a half pound last weekend and has stayed at that higher level. I will continue to stay the course. I had my green drink for brekafast, a cup of low salt V8 for a snack. Lunch is a small bowl of homemade lentil soup, I have another cup of V8 for the afternoon, and dinner is in the crock pot at home - vegetable soup.
I guess it sounds like I eat a lot of soup! Yeah, I guess I do!
Have a good weekend!!
Overall, I did a good job with my eating, except yesterday afternoon. What I didn't do was get enough exercise! I allowed stress to undermine that this week. Must remember that exercise helps stress!!!
The scale bumped up a half pound last weekend and has stayed at that higher level. I will continue to stay the course. I had my green drink for brekafast, a cup of low salt V8 for a snack. Lunch is a small bowl of homemade lentil soup, I have another cup of V8 for the afternoon, and dinner is in the crock pot at home - vegetable soup.
I guess it sounds like I eat a lot of soup! Yeah, I guess I do!
Have a good weekend!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What’s new?
How are things going? I’m doing okay. I will tell you, this has been an interesting couple of weeks. I decided to eliminate snacks. I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, and if I’m going to the gym I will have a pre-dinner snack before I go (we eat dinner when we get home from the gym).
For a long time (a decade?), I’ve always packed 2 snacks in with my lunch: one for mid-morning, and one for mid-afternoon. Now, these were generally healthy snacks of appropriate size, but I realized after reading “Eat to Live” and “The End of Overeating” that what I’ve done is train myself to eat pretty much all day.
I have breakfast, then 2-3 hours later I’m having a snack. I get hungry & twitchy without my snack. Then I have a healthy lunch and take a nice 30 minute walk. Then 2-3 hours later I’m jonesing for my afternoon snack. I would have a hard time focusing if I didn’t get my snack. I felt hungry and restless.
So, 2 weeks ago I cut out the snacks. I won’t lie. I have felt hungry, and restless, and twitchy. I do clock watch a little – especially between breakfast & lunch. But it is getting easier.
I’ve been doing something similar in the evening. I can tell that when I don’t eat an evening snack (which I’ve been eating for as long as I can remember), I find myself looking around – I know it’s getting close to bedtime, but I’m looking for some sort of sign. Because without my evening snack, there’s nothing to tell me it’s time to go to bed. That one has been just as tough, if not tougher.
I’m not saying I’ll never have another snack (I’m sure I will!), but I’m kinda tired of feeling like one of Pavlov’s dogs when it comes to food.
Swim lessons are still going well. Last night I swam 200 meters, then we did some drills & practice, then I ended with 100 meters. I could use any stroke for the laps but I had to do them with no breaks. I did it! Swimming is one hard workout! Hub used the treadmill & spin bike for his workout. I’m so glad he’s back to going with me!
How are things going? I’m doing okay. I will tell you, this has been an interesting couple of weeks. I decided to eliminate snacks. I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, and if I’m going to the gym I will have a pre-dinner snack before I go (we eat dinner when we get home from the gym).
For a long time (a decade?), I’ve always packed 2 snacks in with my lunch: one for mid-morning, and one for mid-afternoon. Now, these were generally healthy snacks of appropriate size, but I realized after reading “Eat to Live” and “The End of Overeating” that what I’ve done is train myself to eat pretty much all day.
I have breakfast, then 2-3 hours later I’m having a snack. I get hungry & twitchy without my snack. Then I have a healthy lunch and take a nice 30 minute walk. Then 2-3 hours later I’m jonesing for my afternoon snack. I would have a hard time focusing if I didn’t get my snack. I felt hungry and restless.
So, 2 weeks ago I cut out the snacks. I won’t lie. I have felt hungry, and restless, and twitchy. I do clock watch a little – especially between breakfast & lunch. But it is getting easier.
I’ve been doing something similar in the evening. I can tell that when I don’t eat an evening snack (which I’ve been eating for as long as I can remember), I find myself looking around – I know it’s getting close to bedtime, but I’m looking for some sort of sign. Because without my evening snack, there’s nothing to tell me it’s time to go to bed. That one has been just as tough, if not tougher.
I’m not saying I’ll never have another snack (I’m sure I will!), but I’m kinda tired of feeling like one of Pavlov’s dogs when it comes to food.
Swim lessons are still going well. Last night I swam 200 meters, then we did some drills & practice, then I ended with 100 meters. I could use any stroke for the laps but I had to do them with no breaks. I did it! Swimming is one hard workout! Hub used the treadmill & spin bike for his workout. I’m so glad he’s back to going with me!
Monday, June 21, 2010
I wish I had something exciting
Not too much. I was home alone this weekend. I went swimming Friday night, sewed, and watched dvds of old Tours de France. netflilx has a series of the 1999-2005 tours. Pretty cool!
All in all, things are going along pretty quietly. Hope you had a happy father's Day, if that's soemthing you celebrate!
Not too much. I was home alone this weekend. I went swimming Friday night, sewed, and watched dvds of old Tours de France. netflilx has a series of the 1999-2005 tours. Pretty cool!
All in all, things are going along pretty quietly. Hope you had a happy father's Day, if that's soemthing you celebrate!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday evening
Just checking in. I was down another pound and a half this week. This week has been tough. One of the things I've been trying is to cut out snacking. Research shows that folks who snack are more likely to be overweight. I believe that. I know for me, the day can become one feed then waiting for the next. Nothing huge since I pack my food, but still.
I took half a day off today. I'm going to Asheville tomorrow (for my final class) so I wanted to get my grocery shopping done, not to mention we sold our pontoon boat so we needed to meet the guy at the bank etc.
Shopping is done, then I went & swam some at the Y, then came home & had a good dinner. I am having a small snack this evening, but I carefully avoided buying any junky snacks ... or beer! Go me!
I did buy some vegan stuffed grape leaves to take for the car ride tomorrow. We eat nearly 2 hours later than I normally do (we eat lunch after class), so that snack will be very helpful.
We've been having some parenting conflict - boy getting home late, being disrespectful, grandma making excuses for him. I am very proud of myself for not caving in to emotional eating, even though I did visit some junk food in the grocery store. I stood firm, came home & had a green drink, & hit the gym!
I am enjoying the swimming, I just wish I could go for longer! I guess I'll get there.
Have a good weekend!
Just checking in. I was down another pound and a half this week. This week has been tough. One of the things I've been trying is to cut out snacking. Research shows that folks who snack are more likely to be overweight. I believe that. I know for me, the day can become one feed then waiting for the next. Nothing huge since I pack my food, but still.
I took half a day off today. I'm going to Asheville tomorrow (for my final class) so I wanted to get my grocery shopping done, not to mention we sold our pontoon boat so we needed to meet the guy at the bank etc.
Shopping is done, then I went & swam some at the Y, then came home & had a good dinner. I am having a small snack this evening, but I carefully avoided buying any junky snacks ... or beer! Go me!
I did buy some vegan stuffed grape leaves to take for the car ride tomorrow. We eat nearly 2 hours later than I normally do (we eat lunch after class), so that snack will be very helpful.
We've been having some parenting conflict - boy getting home late, being disrespectful, grandma making excuses for him. I am very proud of myself for not caving in to emotional eating, even though I did visit some junk food in the grocery store. I stood firm, came home & had a green drink, & hit the gym!
I am enjoying the swimming, I just wish I could go for longer! I guess I'll get there.
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Quickly
I am the lowest weight in 3 months! :-)
I have read about 75% of "The End of Overeating" - I highly recommend you read it if you feel like you have issues controlling how much/what you eat. I believe knowledge is power and the more we understand how and why these mechanisms in our brain work, we can give up the guilt and focus on changing our behaviours. You are a bad or weak person if you can't stop eating cookies.
The boy is out of town until Sunday and then he'll be leaving Monday for a week in Florida. Cooking is much easier, but I do miss him.
I went to the pool last night. I got there early for our class, so I swam a few laps! Go me, rocking the pool! It was great!
I think I ate about 2/3 of a pound of oven roasted green beans with dinner last night. YUM! I put just a tad of sesmae oil on a cookie sheet, the rolled the green beans around in it (it was less than a tablespoon, and a fair bit stayed on the pan). Then I sprinkled them with powdered ginger and a tablespoon of sesame seeds. As rachel ray would say: "Yumo-o!"
I made a really excellent dinner the night before (I had the leftovers for dinner last night). I took a recipe we all enjoy for an asian-flavored noodle side dish and left out of oil, decreased the noodles, added a butt-load of veggies and a package of tofu (which I cubed and baked in the oven). I needed to increase the amount of sauce, but it was really good, and you could eat a large portion thanks to all the veggies.
I read a quite on a blog the other day that cracked me up: "Broccoli is a fat guy's best friend." I do believe vegetables ARE our best friend, overweight or not.
I've been making a conscious effort to have a green drink every morning and I do think that after 2 weeks, it's helping. My cravings do seem to be going away a bit. I think shoveling my body chock full of high nutrient veggies is finally paying back my micronutrient deficit, which I surely have (most of us do).
Anyway, S.H.I.T. (so happy it's Thursday!)
Got my grandmother moved and my mom is very happy with the new place. We are selling our pontoon boat tomorrow - we always use the ski boat, so it had become a hassle. Glad that will be finished - that's been a bit of a pain.
Anyway, life is good!
I am the lowest weight in 3 months! :-)
I have read about 75% of "The End of Overeating" - I highly recommend you read it if you feel like you have issues controlling how much/what you eat. I believe knowledge is power and the more we understand how and why these mechanisms in our brain work, we can give up the guilt and focus on changing our behaviours. You are a bad or weak person if you can't stop eating cookies.
The boy is out of town until Sunday and then he'll be leaving Monday for a week in Florida. Cooking is much easier, but I do miss him.
I went to the pool last night. I got there early for our class, so I swam a few laps! Go me, rocking the pool! It was great!
I think I ate about 2/3 of a pound of oven roasted green beans with dinner last night. YUM! I put just a tad of sesmae oil on a cookie sheet, the rolled the green beans around in it (it was less than a tablespoon, and a fair bit stayed on the pan). Then I sprinkled them with powdered ginger and a tablespoon of sesame seeds. As rachel ray would say: "Yumo-o!"
I made a really excellent dinner the night before (I had the leftovers for dinner last night). I took a recipe we all enjoy for an asian-flavored noodle side dish and left out of oil, decreased the noodles, added a butt-load of veggies and a package of tofu (which I cubed and baked in the oven). I needed to increase the amount of sauce, but it was really good, and you could eat a large portion thanks to all the veggies.
I read a quite on a blog the other day that cracked me up: "Broccoli is a fat guy's best friend." I do believe vegetables ARE our best friend, overweight or not.
I've been making a conscious effort to have a green drink every morning and I do think that after 2 weeks, it's helping. My cravings do seem to be going away a bit. I think shoveling my body chock full of high nutrient veggies is finally paying back my micronutrient deficit, which I surely have (most of us do).
Anyway, S.H.I.T. (so happy it's Thursday!)
Got my grandmother moved and my mom is very happy with the new place. We are selling our pontoon boat tomorrow - we always use the ski boat, so it had become a hassle. Glad that will be finished - that's been a bit of a pain.
Anyway, life is good!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The most wonderful time of the year
This is my favorite time of the year! I love it for loads of reasons:
The weather. I know, 100 degree heat & 100% humidity kinda sucks, but I love thunderstorms! And the mornings are fantastic for walking in the ‘hood.
The food. Here’s the thing: The boy is gone a lot this time of year. Not to be mean or anything, but it does simplify my life. I can cook a vegan dinner and no one freaks out, and a normal meal generates enough leftovers that I don’t have to cook every night. Since I plan, shop for, and cook dinner 6 or 7 nights a week all year long, a break is nice.
The Tour. Sure, I was watch other cycling events, but nothing comes close to the Tour de France. I discovered that Netflix has DVDs of the 1999-2005 tours. I’ve been getting those to whet my appetite until this year starts. The dvds are 4 hours per Tour. That’s not a lot when you consider that each stage gets 2-4 hours of coverage, depending on the length & type of stage. That’s every day for 3 weeks. That’s a lot of television! It takes planning to be able to watch that much television (it does for me at least). Luckily, I’m good at multi-tasking and I tivo them so I can at least skip the commercials.
Projects. This one works in conjunction with the Tour, which I watch while working on Pennsic projects. Always some garb, but there may be painting furniture, banners, day shade covers – all sorts of crafty stuff. This is the one time of year where working on fun projects is more important than keeping the house tidy (which is easier when you don’t have to cook every night!!!)
Pennsic. Need I say more? Our whole family looks forward to this vacation so much!
This is my favorite time of the year! I love it for loads of reasons:
The weather. I know, 100 degree heat & 100% humidity kinda sucks, but I love thunderstorms! And the mornings are fantastic for walking in the ‘hood.
The food. Here’s the thing: The boy is gone a lot this time of year. Not to be mean or anything, but it does simplify my life. I can cook a vegan dinner and no one freaks out, and a normal meal generates enough leftovers that I don’t have to cook every night. Since I plan, shop for, and cook dinner 6 or 7 nights a week all year long, a break is nice.
The Tour. Sure, I was watch other cycling events, but nothing comes close to the Tour de France. I discovered that Netflix has DVDs of the 1999-2005 tours. I’ve been getting those to whet my appetite until this year starts. The dvds are 4 hours per Tour. That’s not a lot when you consider that each stage gets 2-4 hours of coverage, depending on the length & type of stage. That’s every day for 3 weeks. That’s a lot of television! It takes planning to be able to watch that much television (it does for me at least). Luckily, I’m good at multi-tasking and I tivo them so I can at least skip the commercials.
Projects. This one works in conjunction with the Tour, which I watch while working on Pennsic projects. Always some garb, but there may be painting furniture, banners, day shade covers – all sorts of crafty stuff. This is the one time of year where working on fun projects is more important than keeping the house tidy (which is easier when you don’t have to cook every night!!!)
Pennsic. Need I say more? Our whole family looks forward to this vacation so much!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Hmmm
How are things? Not bad. Weekends continue to be difficult. I am currently reading a book called “The End of Overeating”. It’s written by an MD who is a former commissioner of the FDA. I’m really enjoying it. He explains a lot of scientific studies that have been done to show why we respond the way we do to certain foods. I haven’t gotten very far into it, but it’s been eye opening. It also makes me feel better to understand that our response to food is very wired in our brain and that modern foods are designed to trigger all these responses. Food scientists are working very hard to create food that affects us like crack. Some people have stronger responses than others, but it’s nice to know there is a scientific basis for this stuff and not just “lack of willpower.”
Weight popped up a couple of pounds over the weekend, as it tends to do. Working on that. Missed swimming last night so we could move my grandma. The new place seems a lot better, so I’m glad that’s taken care of.
Boy acted like a horses’ patootie last night. That whole “15 going on 30” thing was kicking in. I ended up with less than 5 hours sleep, which makes me an unhappy camper. He’s at the beach with grandpa for a couple of days, so cooking around our house just got easier for a bit.
Hub has to go back out of town to finish the job he was doing last weekend. I hate that for him. The boy will go with him I presume and then he’s leaving with grandma next Monday for Florida for a week. Almost as good as a vacation for me!
How are things? Not bad. Weekends continue to be difficult. I am currently reading a book called “The End of Overeating”. It’s written by an MD who is a former commissioner of the FDA. I’m really enjoying it. He explains a lot of scientific studies that have been done to show why we respond the way we do to certain foods. I haven’t gotten very far into it, but it’s been eye opening. It also makes me feel better to understand that our response to food is very wired in our brain and that modern foods are designed to trigger all these responses. Food scientists are working very hard to create food that affects us like crack. Some people have stronger responses than others, but it’s nice to know there is a scientific basis for this stuff and not just “lack of willpower.”
Weight popped up a couple of pounds over the weekend, as it tends to do. Working on that. Missed swimming last night so we could move my grandma. The new place seems a lot better, so I’m glad that’s taken care of.
Boy acted like a horses’ patootie last night. That whole “15 going on 30” thing was kicking in. I ended up with less than 5 hours sleep, which makes me an unhappy camper. He’s at the beach with grandpa for a couple of days, so cooking around our house just got easier for a bit.
Hub has to go back out of town to finish the job he was doing last weekend. I hate that for him. The boy will go with him I presume and then he’s leaving with grandma next Monday for Florida for a week. Almost as good as a vacation for me!
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