Good morning coaches,

My day of being diligent showed on the scale, down 2.6 this morning from yesterday. I feel terrific and the Camelback hike has not been too difficult even though I haven't been hiking as much in the last month and a half. I will be picking it up again in January. I have a good food plan made for today which includes plenty of veggies and protein. I am so very grateful for my good health, I want to continue with healthy eating and exercise.

Bill It seems pretty early to be working on Christmas Eve dinner, but it is nice to have some dinner's that are easy on the cook.
Penny This is can be a tough time of the year on the food plan for sure.
GardenerJoy I didn't think about butter being a problem for those with dairy sensitivities. Would ghee also be a problem? Chicken cacciatore sounds awesome. I'll have to put that on the list.
Janateach I'm glad you survived the waterpark. We just got a new Great Wolf Lodge with waterpark near us. I'd like to go in and see what it looks like.
CJZee I'm so glad your hip felt so much better on your trip. I'm sure that made you feel hopeful that it can be fine.
Maryann Do you teach thru Friday and then have some time off? I'm sure you're looking forward to a break.
Curlyjax You know we are all thinking about you and hoping your recovery is coming along.

I don't have any social obligations in the two days before we leave on our road trip. My focus will just be on some housework and ensuring the laundry and ironing are done so we can pack easily. So far in checking the temperatures it looks like our drive will be safe. We'll head over to CA first to visit my cousin and then straight up I-5 to Washington. I got a refill on Otis's xanax prescription yesterday in case. Usually they are just for the groomer appointments, but he is a nervous Nellie. Or I might need to give them to dh so the Nervous Nellie doesn't make him crazy (just kidding . . . kind of).

Have a great day all of you!

Check in.

As busy as a teacher in finals is supposed to be. Plus life. I am trying to not panic and enjoy holiday moments. I have pounds of correcting before me and antsy kids to engage.

I am one pound above ticker and would love to drop that pound off before my birthday weekend in San Francisco. I often wish my bday wasn’t five days before Xmas. Still so much for which to be grateful.

Tracking my food is my goal for today.
Wave to all.

Good morning!

Yesterday was overbudget and weight is up again. Today I will have an on plan day.

Janateach, I'm glad you had a good time at the waterpark. We've been to those a few times.

Bill, do you get the kids over for Christmas dinner too?

Karen, kudos for bringing the weight back down already after that jump. My turn! lol

Maryann, it sounds like a crazy week to get through before holiday break. May the paper grading go quickly.

Joy, chicken and dumplings sound so good on your snowy day.

Hi everyone,

Checking in and touching base. My weight is higher than I want but not bad--and I'm 1 month and 11 days into my "no sweets" commitment. I haven't managed no chips/breads yet, but I feel good about the path I'm on with regards to sweets and desserts. I'm still taking it one day at a time using the "I am Sober" app. I did look into some programs such as Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, but they use the 12 step programs that refer to a higher power, and that's just not something I can do. (I gave the book to a woman at my weight loss clinic.)

Although my weight keeps fluctuating it is useful to remember that I was 242 lbs January 2018 and I am 185 lbs now--even if I'm not as low as I was (162) I'm definitely way better off in mobility, health, and appearance compared to 2 years ago. FB popped up a memory of me at our company Christmas party 2 years ago--the difference was staggering.

I know I've been MIA--the issue is that I can only keep up with so many methods at once and right now, I'm getting a lot of benefit from the "I am Sober" app and the nightly review. Time.... I've also been traveling a lot--mostly, but not exclusively for work. I've traveled 6 times since November 1 and we're traveling again for Christmas. My weight loss mgmt class is tonight--it's a maintenance class rather than the regular education class. I'm looking forward to it. I missed the November one because I was in CA.

Hope everyone is doing well.

--Beth

Quick wave. I am able to walk around on crutches okay but overwhelmed by doing everything and very emotional. I didn't expect to be crying all the time. I really miss my husband. It's like the past two years are just hitting me now, and of course its Christmas and dark so early. Yeesh. Anyhow the PT said I was doing well physically, my neighbors have been wonderful and i have good friends to talk to .

Curlyjax - you have so much going on and I can tell your husband’s loss is hitting you hard. I’m glad your operation went well, and I’m pleased you have people to support you.

Beth - I’m so glad you checked in, it is great to hear that you have picked one important thing -- the “no sweets” commitment -- and are doing so well at it. I know for me if I can just hang onto one thing I do well per day, it gives me strength and hope.

Penny - I’m going to have an on-plan day tomorrow also. I’m going to write everything down, I know that helps me.

maryann - I don’t envy teachers right before school breaks. My brother’s birthday is Christmas Eve, so he often gets combo birthday/Christmas presents which isn’t fair.

karen - I am going to follow your lead and have a perfectly diligent day tomorrow.

Bill - I have to avoid ice cream, even the no-sugar-added stuff, because I like it too much.

Janateach - hi and welcome!

gardenerjoy - wow! Someone stole your purse, how awful!

As for me, my food choices have been good since I came back from this mini-trip, but still apparently eating too much. My weight is staying about the same and I need it to start that downward trend again. I’m just grateful it hasn’t gone up.

Going back to my trainer at the gym on Thursday to start back with my twice-a-week weight training sessions. I also think I’m going to start some exercise classes too, I’m much better when I have an external person telling me what to do in the exercise arena (but not any other areas of life, haha).

I think I mentioned my dead photo printer. We have revived it and it is working again! This is great, but in the meantime I ordered a used printer from eBay which just arrived a few days ago. So now I have two printers.

Wednesday - Kublai Khan renames empire "Yuan" starting Yuan Dynasty of China (1271)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Shoveled snow for exercise, CREDIT moi. The only good part of that was a chance to chat with neighbors. One guy happily walking to the subway to go to work said he'd already been to Logan Airport that morning. He was sitting on the tarmac in his plane to Florida when the second 'mechanical' delay was announced. The delay would put him past his scheduled meeting. So, he got up and took an Uber back home to go to work in his Boston office. Whatever inconvenience I felt that day seemed small to his.

Eating was OKish, CREDIT moi. Dinner was a piece of white fish because DW stops by Whole Foods on Tuesday. After dinner, we went back out to clear the ice/snow/sleet off the car in hopes to reduce work this morning before driving to get the DGD.


maryann - LOL that busy includes "life".

Karen (karenrn) - Kudos for being grateful for your health. Only have to see health ebbing away from someone else to recognize when we have it.

curlyjax - Waving back to a walking lady. Being confined does allow the sad to find the surface. Seems reasonable to me that you miss your DH.

Beth (bethturnaround) - Kudos for 41 days into your "no sweets" plan. Sugar is just plain evil. Neat that you have an app that's helpful.

Penny. - Kudos for planning an onplan day. We get the kids for Christmas Eve dinner then they go with their other families for Christmas.

CJZee - Kudos for making good food choices. Yep, a personal trainer is a good thing in the gym.

Readers -

I have three more days at school. I am not ashamed to admit I might throw in an impromptu showing of Grinch. I have already prepped them for finals tomorrow.

Weight is at ticker. That is a huge gift. I dove huge into gifted cookies yesterday. Like Beth I need to minimize baked goods. But credit for not just going crazy after a slip. This seems to be the secret for me. I continually hop back OP.

I also looked at the last five weeks. I have not had one weekend free of at least 1 huge eating occasion. So credit for being at ticker.

CJzee: Exercise is the answer to my freedom of movement.
Curleyjax: things are going to get better.


Wave to folks who are traveling. I hope to check in more once I am on vacation.

I'm not sure why I didn't manage to check in yesterday. I started a project as soon as I got out of bed, shoveled snow periodically, and the morning was gone. I followed my plan, so that's good.

Today includes an evening meeting at Panera's, which is still called St. Louis Bread Company, here, and generally referred to as BreadCo. I'll do the You Pick Two and pick two things on the lower end of the calories, which are conveniently posted next to the menu items. That helps keep me honest. Also, I'll get "bread" as the side (which is a ridiculous side for a sandwich, but never mind) and bring it home for a treat for DH. I don't eat chips and their apples are never as good as what I have at home.

Exercise: +60, 625/1200 minutes for December

December
 

Greetings All

I am returning to the fold. You guys are as warm and comfy as ever. Thanks for being here.

My year has been grueling. But, because of a sad ending, I am able to do a really clean, really massive re-start. My mother-in-law died early Monday morning. She was sent by her family physician directly to the hospital the last week of November and she never left. Ann struggled for every single breath she took from at least August. We went back and forth to doctors, hospitals, specialists, chasing down/solving/encountering her medical needs. She had stage 4 lung cancer in the lining of her lungs (given 6 months to live about 5 years ago), and progressing COPD. She received a pacemaker on Oct 25th when her heart, which developed a-fibrillation in the spring, would no longer go into rhythm. By then her heart was enlarged and "flabby". The specialist cardiologist did not want to operate on her at all. In the end it was operate or die. She said later she regretted that choice.

In the hospital, after a pericardial tap to remove fluid from around her heart, during her recovery she developed a blood clot in her knee and then an emergency operation. They saved her leg and foot but there was so much pain the doctors were talking of removing it. Her biggest hope was to line dance at the Legion at Christmas. From the hospital bed she called the Legion and cancelled her ticket to the event.

:(

Late last week fluid began gathering around her lungs and there was one last treatment for her. She tried it, I think for us, and then she refused it, causing much pain and anger in all of us. She begged for us to let her go. I was mad about that. I couldn't imagine she would die peacefully, but literally hours after the official decision was made by her doctors and her immediate family that she be placed into palliative care, she quietly and peacefully slipped away. Her daughter was at her side. She knew she was ready, which is remarkable. I am ever so grateful it was exactly as she wanted it, even if the events leading up to it were not.

I hadn't cried except now, posting a memorial to her on my facebook page. So much of my daily life has revolved around her and her needs for years. I feel free and I feel sad but I am ready to grab hold of my health and happiness. There is no time like the present. And with that, I am cleaning my freezer! Those who know me know I struggle with the decluttering. I am back at it and it feels good. I feel excited to do it and to see what comes next for me.

Foodwise, I am on my foodplan but know there will be a few detours this week as we meet with friends and family in honour of Ann. That's ok. All is well.

Bye for now.

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan and weight is holding. I will do it again today.

Curly, I'm sorry you are struggling. Hopefully that will take a turn for the better soon, and it's wonderful that you are up and healing.

CJZee, it is wonderful that you were able to maintain during and after your trip. Kudos for scheduling the trainer again.

Bill, have a great day with DGD!

Maryann, credit for always getting back on plan and maintaining. I bet the kids will enjoy a grinch watching day.

Joy, that sounds like a good plan for BreadCo. Interesting history on the name too!

Onebyone, good to have you back! So sorry about your MIL. That sounds like a very stressful fall and I'm so glad she passed peacefully.

Thursday - Apollo 17 (last of Apollo Moon landing series) returns to Earth (1972)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Exercise was chase the (4 yo) DGD day, CREDIT moi. She demonstrated how poorly I'm able to keep up with how fast she's changing. When she finally stopped playing at the indoor play space, she turned and ran down the stairs, through the difficult to open downstairs door, and, all by herself, put on her boots (right boot on right foot), jacket (zipped up), hat, and mittens, and walked out the back door to the parking lot. All of this before DW and I had time to do the same for ourselves. It was a little snit to show us that we were wasting our time badgering her that it was time to leave. Also boggled my mind when she asked to be read TWICE the long book, Louie the Buoy. It's a true(ish) story of a buoy in the Gulf of Bay Saint Louis on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi who was the last buoy to be washed ashore by Hurricane Camille. I have no idea what appeals to that little mind.

Eating was 100% on plan, CREDIT moi, including NO snacks. Snacks just don't happen when chasing the DGD. Dinner was another round from the rotisserie chicken; the chickens are getting bigger and we're eating less. Oh, yes, exercise was also shoveling snow. The wet slush had drifted down the windshield and frozen into a block on the wipers. I used a metal chisel and hammer to break up enough to free the wipers to move. Never used a chisel on the ice on my car before. Seemed like a really, really, bad idea.


onebyone - Sending my supportive thoughts for the loss of your mother-in-law, Ann. It is a relief to hear of someone who was ready to face their end. I admire all the work that you did to help her through her final days.

Joy (gardenerjoy) - Thanks to you guys for exporting BreadCo so that we can have Panera's around here. I, too, marvel that a chunk of bread is considered a 'side.' Is there anywhere in your life where Saint Louis is pronounced to rhyme with 'buoy' as it does in the book I referred to with their line, "Louie the buoy on the Bay of Saint Louis."

maryann - Yes, indeed, Kudos for not going crazy after a slip.

Penny. - Good plan, "I will do it again today."

Readers -

Good morning coaches,

Just a very quick check in. I followed my plan yesterday and weight is holding. We're leaving for our 10 or so day road trip this morning, so I only have a minute before we need to get moving. Wish me luck with Otis and dh in the car for that many days. Mainly Otis. Dh will only be a problem if Otis is a problem.

I hope you all have some good holiday time.

Karen

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan and weight is coming back down.

Bill, credit for on plan eating on a DGD day. Ice pick and car do sound like a bad mix. lol

Karen, safe travels!

Friday - Missouri imposes a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men between 21 & 50 (1820)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - During lunch with friends, I substituted a green salad for onion rings, CREDIT moi. Especially because I absolutely love fried onion rings and this event is one of the few places where they come with the meal that I've ordered. I had fish and chips (fish and salad) because the other options contained some serious calories.

Walked to the subway and back and part of the way to get my hair cut and to the bank to get coins. I get gold one dollar Susan B. Anthony coins for the toes of all the stockings that we'll empty on Christmas eve. I also get DW a stack of rolls of quarters that she needs for parking. (Yes, we still have some old-fashioned meters around here that take quarters.) I bought some gourmet coffee for DS's presents; we've already gotten what we need for everyone else. I still have to buy stocking stuffers today when I'm out and about.


Karen (karenrn) - Waving back toward somewhere on your ten day road trip. Hope Otis and your DH make their peace.

Penny. - Weight coming back down is a good thing.

Readers -