Well, I have finally found some time to catch up, but I’m not sure if I’ll catch everyone. Please forgive me if I miss you. It won’t be on purpose, just that there are a LOT of posts to read. People have been busy.
First of all, a little catch up about me. I found out today why the scales have been creeping up this past week. TOM arrived early! Wasn’t that nice??? At least it explains the weight increase. Obviously my system is still trying to work out some kind of cycle with my period. I have NEVER had regular periods (if any at all) so this shouldn’t surprise me too much. So far (since they returned in November) I’ve had one right on time, one late and two early. I suppose it keeps me on my toes.
Even with finding out that there is a reason for the weight increase, I am still sticking to what I decided a few days ago. I’ve been stressing WAY too much about my weight and I have decided that I simply want to enjoy where I am at the moment. So many people keep complimenting me on how I look, and I graciously (and really happily) accept these compliments, but I don’t think I’ve been believing them 100%. I still had it in my head – and to be truthful, still HAVE it in my head – that I have to get to an official ‘healthy’ weight to reach my goal. But when I think about it sensibly, my goal was just to have maintained a healthy weight for 12 months by my 45th birthday. I turn 44 on April 5th, and the sensible side of me tells me that I am currently ‘healthy’. When I had blood work done a couple of months ago everything was great except for a couple of vitamins that were low and I’m taking supplements for them now. Blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney, liver, blood pressure etc… are all wonderful. I am certainly more active now and can work out like never before. So, realistically, I am trying to get my head around the fact that I am currently healthy and I will just wait and see what happens with the weight. If I stay where I am, I will just have to live with that. If I lose more, I will be VERY happy, as that will give me elbow room for times like TOM visiting. I also still have a body fat of 30%, which I would like to lower. We’ll see.
I was very naughty today and went clothes shopping… again. Luckily hubby doesn’t mind traipsing around shops with me. He is very patient and supportive. He knows what a thrill it is for me to buy clothes now. I simply decided today that if I was going to try and love this body I have, then I was going to love trying on and buying clothes for it. I felt really good! I only bought 3 tops, but lots of things fit and looked good, which is just as important. I would have bought two other tops, but they didn’t have a SMALL enough size! WOW!!!! That is SO good to write. I am in a quandary about buying a new winter wardrobe at the moment. I have NOTHING for winter, but I may still lose a little weight, and don’t want to buy clothes that won’t fit in winter. I am going to hold off for as long as I can. You never know, I may catch the winter sales!
So, in general, I have decided to get my brain into ‘maintenance’ mode and just focus on that for the moment, while enjoying the fact that I am slimmer and healthier than I have EVER been in my adult life before. That is definitely something worth celebrating and I hadn’t let myself appreciate that.
So my first message is to…
Lilion – You were definitely NOT prying, and I took your words to heart before deciding to get myself into this new frame of mind. You were so caring and positive in your post (as all people are on here) that it made me sit up and think about where my mind was at. I was being way too negative and needed to back off a little. As my dietitian friend keeps telling me, I’m my own worst enemy. I am a perfectionist with this journey, which I don’t realize most of the time. I set a goal and couldn’t see myself straying from that goal. I don’t think I even realized that I probably achieved my goal a while ago, but I’m leaving it till my birthday to make it official. So, thank you SO much for giving me the much needed jolt. It is funny, but people here may have said it, but your comments really struck home. Perhaps because you have such a good understanding of where I’ve come from.
MsCrockett – Did you end up having any of your mother’s sauce? You may have to train her to make a healthier version so you still get to have some. Good move to go outside and avoid the delicious aromas. I can stand to look at food, but the smells still tempt me WAY too much.
I don’t think you are wrong for hoping you will get a man when you are smaller. I know that when I started this journey it was honestly just for my health and I didn’t even consider that I would look different. But now that I look better, I seem to be the most VAIN person I know. I certainly hope that you find someone, but I have a feeling it will be because you are more confident, not better looking. I just wish someone could see the beautiful person we see already. I think your lack of confidence is probably what is keeping them away. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Kayley – I was going to ask about dreadfalls, but you answered and they are kinda what I was expecting. I will definitely need pics though, as I still can’t envision them. I’m glad you had such a great Friday night. Has Andrew managed to get back into his house yet? Hope the car repairs aren’t too expensive. Have a wonderful remainder of your weekend. It sounds as though you plan to! You have certainly been working out a lot lately, which is such a credit to you.
Great to hear that you had a fun day shopping. Sad that you had to buy two pairs of shoes huh? I know that must have been SUCH a hard decision to make.lol As you say, one pair is for working out, so that purchase justifies the other pair… I think…
Garnetfairy – Sorry to hear that you are not getting the gym time that you would like. Is there somewhere in the gym that your mom could sit and do something while she waited for you? You mentioned that she was sitting in the car. You would probably feel better if she were occupied INSIDE, then you could just continue working out.
Ammi – Congratulations on working out every day! That is such a wonderful achievement. It shows how much fitter you are huh? I’m sorry that you had some “fat pig” days. I know that they don’t last long, but I still have them too and I’m trying to feel better about myself, so I’m allowed to tell you to feel better about yourself too. FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF!lol You have made such incredible changes to your lifestyle and you need to take the time (as I am just realizing) to appreciate just how far you have come. Hope you have more ‘feel good’ days in the future.
I must also thank you again for your inspiring comments. Your words were also ones that I took to heart and kept in my head when I was making my latest decisions about what I was going to do with the next stage of my journey. You reminded me that I have come such a long way. Thank you!
Wyllen – It is SO good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. It is NO fun to be sick when you are trying to lead a ‘healthier’ lifestyle… illness kind of gets in the way of that road. You’ve probably mentioned before, but you know my memory. What do you teach? How old are your students? I teach grade 2, pretty much every subject. So I’m always curious when someone mentions teaching.
Home made chicken soup. YUM! You wouldn’t mind packaging some of that up to send to me would you? I’m sure it would still be delicious after the L-O-N-G trip. OK, maybe not. I should just try to learn to cook and make myself some huh? Mind you, I’m sure I could find one in a can that would do. Pathetic aren’t I?
Brenda – I can’t wait to hear what the people at work say when you turn up looking fabulous in your new outfit. I hope you have them too shocked to speak at first. And, of course, congrats on the smaller size! Isn’t clothes shopping wonderful!? It is such a novelty for me that I just spend WAY too much time and money on it. I hope you went back and got the wedding outfit, or you’ll be kicking yourself.
Tracey – Well done on getting the exercise done. I have found that reporting back here is a great incentive to exercise. Keep it up! It certainly won’t take long to get back in the swing of things. I find that I’m a little sluggish after even a few days rest, but it doesn’t take long to be back on the mark again.
Blondie – Great to see you here. I don’t think I have met you before, but “Hello”. Well done on avoiding the temptation of pizza and leftovers. I think that this journey has been easier for me with not having kids. Hubby has just gone along with me every step of the way, but it would probably be harder with more people to have sort out meals around.
I hope you have a wonderful ‘party’ day on Sunday. It must make it easier being able to kill two birds with one stone, as they say.
You are definitely right about food at schools not being healthy. Our canteen has been awarded a ‘healthy’ category, but I’m not sure how. I think there are SO many things they could change. I’m glad they don’t serve breakfast, or we would have even more rubbish being eaten. Can you not get your son to eat something before school? Or could you pack him something? That may be preferable to the stuff he could be getting.
Annie – It is wonderful that you have such a good attitude about losing your job. I still can’t believe that they would do that to you, but at least you are positive enough to see the silver lining in the situation. Good for you!! I hope you managed to get a lovely swim in. I haven’t been swimming for YEARS… probably close to 30. I just can’t see myself getting into a bathing costume any time soon, but I do remember that I loved the water. We live 5 minutes from the Indian Ocean, so it is not as though we have a lack of opportunities. Mind you… memories of Jaws still deter me from swimming in the ocean a little. Maybe the local pool would be a better option. Have you seen any neck to knee bathing suits lately? I need to buy one.
Luan – I have always wondered what Sloppy Joes were. They sound like something I would like. If you are eating them, I assume they are healthy. I know it would depend on how they were made, but I may have to find a ‘healthy’ recipe for them for something different over the winter months.
I’ve never actually thought about it, but I should have guessed that it would be a studio makeup artist that you were training to be. You could act in a movie and do everyone’s makeup as well. Double pay! Sounds good to me.
Amber – I’ve never even thought of belly dancing as an alternative exercise, but I would imagine that you would have to be VERY fit to be a belly dancer. As you say, do the exercises first, then maybe take some lessons. I’m not sure about showing my belly to the public yet though. I may have to be a VERY well covered up belly dancer if I ever considered taking it up.
Good luck on getting a TOPS meeting started closer to you. It will certainly be easier than traveling to get to them. I think I would be tempted not to go if I had to go too far.
I can relate to needing more hours in the day. We have to watch the kids eat lunch, so luckily I nibble on my salad items then. I would never get all my lunch eaten (and visit the restroom) in the time that is left if I didn’t start while the kids were eating.
I’m glad you had time to yourself to go shopping. It sounds as though you had a ball! I have a feeling that I am becoming addicted to shopping. Not really that good for the pocket, but better than a food addiction right?
I hope you get your computer sorted out. I love these things, but I do NOT like it when they don’t work. Luckily hubby is VERY computer savvy, so I can just yell for him when something goes wrong. I take my hat off to you for being able to do it yourself.
Valerie – I’m sorry that you didn’t see the losses you would have liked for February. It is great that you can see the bright side – that it wasn’t a gain. You did SO well in January, that I’m sure your body is just adjusting to the program and will show another loss soon. You are noticing other changes, so something is definitely working.
Did you get the snow that was forecast? If so… would you like to send me some? I would LOVE snow! I have never seen snow fall. In fact the only snow I’ve ever seen was when I was about 16, and it was pretty much just ‘slush’. My dream is to have a white Christmas one year. I’m not sure I could put up with the cold for very long, but the experience would be worth it.
Nancy – I hope you have a wonderful time at the beer festival. I don’t drink beer, or any other alcohol for that matter, but I love the atmosphere at places like that.
I can relate to the ‘binge’ events. I am like you, and I have NO idea what triggers them, unless they are around TOM of course. I have made sure that I only have healthy snacks around, so that if I ‘pig out’ it is not as bad as it could be. For the last couple of days I feel as though I have gone WAY overboard on eating, but it has been fruit and veg, or stuff that my dietitian friend made for me, so it can’t be TOO bad… can it? Fingers crossed that after TOM, the scales get back to where they were at the beginning of the week.
Tasha – 5.4 lbs!!!!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!! You must be over the moon! And you deserve to be. I’m glad that you have decided to have a break from exercising. You need to get that bleeding sorted out so that you can get yourself back into a routine. We need you to be healthy! I look forward to hearing what the doc says after he/she gets your letter.
I forgot that you had good news from the mammogram. What a relief!
Good idea about getting the park pass. I love walking in parks. Why do you need a pass? Is it a national park?
Sharon – Sorry to hear about the hospital visit. You said that it turned out to be nothing, but did they give you any kind of explanation so you won’t panic next time, or so you can avoid whatever caused it? I’m not sure I caught how the op went. But I hope all is getting back to normal, or at least healing as it should.
Christine – I can hardly imagine what you must go through on a day-to-day basis with your feeding tube. You either have the patience of a saint, or your stresses don’t come through fully in your posts. You always seem so calm about things. I would probably be swearing and cursing to anyone who would listen… and to the rest of the people as well! I truly hope that you find something that suits you soon. You deserve a little peace of mind and to be able to not worry about this any more. Thank you SO much for your explanation of your condition. It makes everything much clearer now, even to me.lol It is hard to think that what you thought was a simple flu bug could cause you this much trouble. Your strength is amazing!
Julee – I can’t WAIT to see pics of the wedding dress. I suppose we have to wait for the big day huh? No sneak previews??? I can learn to be patient… I can…
It sounds as though you have your head around what you have eaten. No pun intended.lol You have had a pretty special week, so ‘glitches’ are forgiven. You have the determination to get back on track, so it isn’t a problem.
Catherine – I have a feeling that you are seeing a lot of snow lately. You did mention shoveling huh? You could consider sending me some if that would help. I have asked others, but I will take as much as people want to get rid of. We have had a couple of days at 100F, and a few more really hot ones coming up this week. The snow would offer some light relief. I’m really glad that you are getting your workouts at least.
Well done on changing the eating habits of Alberta a few people at a time.lol
Phew… I think I managed to catch up with most of you. I had to just work with the last couple of threads, as much more than that and my brain would have been pickled! It doesn’t take much to do that either.
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend.
Take care,
Zelma
I love Sundays 
that is really great, see it wasn't all blood or fluid loss. You should be so proud of yourself.
that is great news that you got a wedding dress and in such a small size too. No wonder you are over the moon. Are we going to get a description of it or are we going to be like you hubby to be and have to wait til the day (or after for us lol)? Did you have to look in many places before you found the perfect dress?
