[gardenerjoy]

Yesterday was a low-energy day, resulting in some less-than-great decisions around food and exercise. I'm diagnosing it as allergies and noting that this spring has been better on that front than most years. With that, I think I can cajole myself into better decisions today. "It's just allergies" has the potential to minimize very real symptoms, but if I'm careful, it can also help me manage my day and my energy in improved ways.

Exercise +20, 1060/1400 minutes for April

[Jcrawford]

Originally Posted by Penny.

Good morning!

Quick check-in before work. The morning hustle is improving but still an ordeal. I'm staying on plan but weight is stalled at the point it never wants to leave. This gets very frustrating when eating so little. I'll try to accept this is just how I have to live to maintain my weight.

Maryann, I timed out on the first question. Ha! My brain is slow this morning.

Have a good day, everyone.

Greetings. I've been where you are. If you take a moment and think back, weight gain didn't happen overnight. It was put on a little at a time over time. The same will be true when trying to lose it. It seems hard now because you're focused on the results, wanting this phase to be over and that's ok. If you focus on the outcome, your goals will be harder. You may stress yourself out.

What I focused on was getting through day by day on a calendar working my way through, first a day, then a week, then a month, etc. Until I was able to look back on what I had accomplished versus what I needed to accomplish.

I think this will help you settle into your journey.

Stay blessed.
J

[Penny.]

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan, weight is holding.

A lovely weekend of puttering is upon me, just like Maryann. I love that. Surprisingly, the spicy bean soup was a big hit with my two older kids, so I'm making it again today. A peanut butter Thai noodle recipe will also be making another appearance- a favorite of all but the pickiest little eater.

I've started a larger knitting project to get me through my post-op recovery and it's too much fun. I can't stop working on it! My books had to move to audio format so I can keep knitting, and I'm on a second James Baldwin book- Go Tell it on the Mountain.

I have to make time for origami today, since the 11yo checked out a book of origami patterns and requests a folding buddy.

Joy, I haven't read any books by Ijeoma Oluo but watched her interview with Rachel Dolzal. I remember thinking her inner dialogue must have been just as interesting as her outer dialogue. lol

Karen, you could probably do a marathon no problem. You're do half of one with climbs!

Bill, the Beck quote is certainly applicable to me these days. If only it wasn't applicable so often. Congrats on a good cardiology checkup.

Nationalparker, what are you making to eat next? The bean soup was good so I should just copy you now. Chipotle bowls: check! Actually, we always have bean burrito fixings in the fridge so I guess we have that covered.

Maryann, I love cat eye frames too! My 15yo found two cat eye styles at Costco- one being a very nice purple. Chic.

Curly, I'm glad you were able to make a decision on the gyn procedure. I prob would have gone with that too. I had to have one before my surgery and it was quick and easy.

[curlyjax]

Last night was very nice. I got together with two friends for wine and some apps, then we went for frozen yogurt. We all giggled a lot and commiserated, and it was just what I needed. Today I may be helping one of them throw out stuff. I have a lovely unplanned day ahead. I’m going to force myself to get outside soon for a walk, hit the dump, plan food and make a grocery run. It would be great to get back to doing minimum 15 minutes exercise every day so that will be my goal.
Nationalparker-no worries, I appreciate the advice! I’m using a big company, Bath Planet, not a private contractor so I should have someone to get back to if there are issues. It is a lot of money so definitely good to be mindful. Glad you had a peaceful day.
Karen-your b and b is definitely busy Glad you are feeling good about your hikes and elevation.
Wave to everyone and happy weekend!

[maryann]

Happy Saturday,

I am going to try and set my alarm for 9 hours of sleep a day. Sleeping 10 hours on the weekend seems to me a waste of my favorite times. I am so thankful that I am a solid sleeper but I think I can improve.

Today I am tackling the pantry. I am going to pull everything out and reorganize. Then I have a baby shower. It is a woman from my AA meetings. She is 43. She started drinking again, made a horrible choice of an abusive husband and has now been abandoned pregnant and living in a halfway house for domestic violence. I asked what she wanted and she was embarrassed to say baby formula. She can't breastfeed and she is worried about the expense. I am happy to pick up some. I am so grateful I still go to meetings after 34 years of sobriety. But for the grace of God go I and I need always remember it. I have known other women with lots of time who stop meeting and start drinking. I never want that to be me.

Food was good. A pound above ticker.

Penny: Great that you have started healthy eating habits in your kids.
Joy and Curley: I missed two days of yoga. It is a priority today no matter how I feel.
BBE: Credit for a solid heart.

[karenrn]

Good afternoon coaches,

Food has been on plan and weight is the same. I woke up way too early this morning so I listened to my book and was ready to go meet a friend for a hike at 7. She is slow and the hike was fairly short but we had a very nice visit. I took a rest when I got home and then reorganized a couple of kitchen cupboards so that things I use more frequently now, like grains are easy to get to. Of course I found a few things that were out of date and could go in the trash.

I checked on my friend and she is doing okay. Pain is far from gone, but so much better than before. Her daughter is leaving early this evening, but her aunt who is only a little older than she is arriving in the morning for a couple of weeks. She lived here until about 6 weeks ago and in fact my friend hurt her back helping her pack and move. My friend has been upset with her for leaving and has held a bit of a grudge. The joke is that she is coming back to do her penance.

We're going out to eat and I've looked at the menu and chosen what I'll have which is a salad with lots of good things in it. Maybe we'll even have some chips and guac.

Maryann What a blessing to be able to sleep so well.

Curlyjax Sounds like your get together last night was just what you needed. Maybe you should all get together weekly, a little support group.

Penny So what is the knitting project? And remind me when you will have surgery.

GardenerJoy I hope the allergies aren't too troublesome today. People here say it's a horrible year for them.

Bill I'm glad you got a good report from the cardiologist. Yes those phlebotomists get so much practice that most of them are pretty good.

Nationalparker I'm glad you were able to meet with your friend and others to talk about the loss of your other friend. Such a horrible thing. Your burrito bowls sound really good. I'll have to put them on the menu here. I'm sure they would be a hit.

Well our friend will be here any minute, so I'd better sign off.

[nationalparker]

We spent the full day at DH's folks, started and filled the dumpster - all mattresses, box springs, some furniture was broken up (not even yard-sale or Goodwill-able) and then the rest of the trash was loaded in. There were wasps all over the edges of the dumpster (apparently nests inside the edges) and DH got stung. I fell off the porch, missing a step. It's always something over there. Calling it a night but food was on target today. Felt good about that. Dinner was the burrito bowl ingredients minus any rice, put on potatoes I baked in the micro. I made the "nacho" sauce yesterday and put that on the spud, then seasoned black beans, and onions/peppers mix I sauteed yesterday, and other toppings. We really liked that and it was a speedy way to change up the bowl. (Penny, if you are interested in the plant-based cheesy sauce, let me know and I'll PM it to you. It's got some nooch but not a ton, like the plant-based mac and cheese recipes seem to have. I like it.) Personals in the morning, hopefully. Going to bed early to get up in decent time.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Eating was on plan with no daytime snacks, CREDIT moi. Dinner was a new recipe from Nutrition Action Newsletter: Golden Tofu Stir-Fry. Really good. Consisted of sauteed extra-firm tofu, Red Bell Pepper, zucchini, and onion. And, of course, garlic, soy sauce, etc. Served over brown rice. Some 340 calories per serving. Was pleased that I liked it so much. Suspect that we'll have it again. The colors make an attractive dish.

Reading for my genetic lottery course with the book by Paige Harden covered IQ tests. What a hot topic. Seems like everyone with a prejudice can glom onto them to make their point. Harden argues that they can be used if not interpreted as a measure of a person's worth. But that's just what folks want to do. Helps me to understand the current discussions about colleges dropping the SAT score requirements for admission. Seem like a tough time to be a college admissions administrator.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - Hope it's a mild allergy season. Sneezing in Spring seem just wrong.

maryann - Generous to get baby formula for a mother who possibly can't afford it. Hope she finds a path forward from a pretty tough place.

nationalparker – A full dumpster is a lot of work done. You guys are making such progress. Ouch for the sting and the fall. I hate it when I have to admit that something I was using isn't even Goodwill-able; want to sneak it out of the house so people won't know.

Karen (karenrn) - Always Kudos for a few out-of-date items going in the trash. I find myself arguing with DW that the Use-By date is just made up - it's still good. She doesn't buy it.

curlyjax - It's a good day when that includes some giggling with friends. Frozen yogurt is a neat treat.

Penny. - So neat that you're listening to James Baldwin's Go Tell it on the Mountain. It just boggles my mind that he's so relevant fifty years later.

J (Jcrawford) - Yep, planning meals is a time consumer. Neat strategy to start by focusing on just one day - then build it up.

Readers -

Chapter 5 Stage 2 - The Think Thin Initial Eating Plan

Graph Your Weight Loss

Weight loss may also halt when your body has reached a temporary set point. If you faithfully stick to your plan, your weight may drop again after a few days or weeks. If it doesn't, then it's time to step down to a lower-calorie plan or transition into maintenance.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), Pg 123.

[gardenerjoy]

We had three unseasonably warm days. Although yesterday's 20mph winds all day made it hard to tell that we were well into the 80s. Today it's raining and we'll get back to a more usual temperature. It's been an odd spring here. I'm hoping that the rain tamps down the allergens for a day or two.

Exercise will be indoors. Food is planned.

Exercise +40, 1200/1400 minutes for April

[curlyjax]

I took myself out to eat for breakfast yesterday and brought more than half home.I don't do it often but I was craving a bacon omelette with home fries and boy it was good.I took a nap, my favorite weekend activity, then went to help my widow friend haul some stuff out of her mom's condo that's being sold. Then I helped take her de-christmas her house, and she talked me out of getting fro-yo again fortunately. I remembered my vow to exercise 15 minutes a day so I used the exercise bicycle at home while watching a silly movie. A good day.
I was going to go to yoga this morning but I didn't sleep well- I woke up in the night fretting about DD being insistent about bringing a car to Boston, parking issues, and how we're going to get her stuff moved, etc which is stressing me out greatly. I HATE driving in Boston and I really wish she was going to nursing school in a less congested area but what can I do. This morning I'm trying to focus on accepting that which I cannot change and dealing with reality instead of worrying. None of it is a reason to eat about anyhow!
Penny-great that you have a new knitting project to occupy you. That thai peanut thing sounds really good!
Maryann- I'm jealous, I would love to sleep 9 hours easily, its such a rare gift when i do. Good for you for helping that woman, what a tough situation.
Karen- interesting about your friend's family dynamic and the timing of the aunt. I would be happy with a once a month get together, but everyone is so busy.
Nationalparker-glad you didn't get hurt with that fall. The dumpster was such a great idea, sounds like it may need to be emptied quite a few times.
Bill-I get the nutrition action newletter too, I should try that one!
Gardenerjoy- allergies are awful, I hope things are getting better.

[Penny.]

Good morning!

Yesterday was on plan and weight continues to stay the same and even bounce up, 6 days out from my last drop. Frustrating!

Yesterday was kind of exhausting with the cooking and kitchen cleaning because I also stocked the freezer with bread. Today I will enjoy not cooking at all.

Karen, that's good your friend has support for her recovery. My knitting project is a sweater with colorwork in the yoke so it makes for interesting knitting Link. It looks a little clownish but I'm going to leave the arm bands out. My hysterectomy is on the 4th- coming up.

Maryann, I wish I could sleep a delicious block of 8-10 hours. I hope you were able to fit in everything you wanted to get done.

Curly, that school and moving to the city stuff does sound very stressful. Maybe she'll figure out it is not worth the cost to have the car after a while, if everything is close.

Nationalparker, I've made several variations of the plant based cheese sauces. Which one do you use? The one with the carrots? Is your in-law's house almost getting emptied out yet? I'm adding up a lot of dumpsters filled. Whew!

Joy, the 80 degree weather still feels so far off for me. It sounds so nice!

Bill, the tofu dish sounds good. I need to get back on the tofu train because my weight went down when I increased protein and back up when I swapped my toast back in. Same calories. Too bad it's not the easier option of food choices. lol

[karenrn]

Good morning coaches,

We went to dinner last night and I had some chips and guacamole which I planned and then a very delicious salad with kale, fruit, sweet potato, Quinoa and nuts. My weight remains the same this morning, which I consider a good thing with the fairly salty chips. I'm taking the day off hiking today and will get some things done around the house. It's supposed to be in the low to mid 80's this afternoon, so maybe some pool time.

Penny The sweater is cute and looks very difficult. I'm glad you'll have something to keep you busy as you recover.

Curlyjax I also don't blame you about being nervous with dd insisting she have a car in Boston. It seems most students I've known that were in the city (Seattle in my case), just didn't need a car and parking was very difficult. Maybe she'll change her mind.

GardenerJoy Yes I hope the rain tamps down the allergies for you. Boy would we like some of your rain.

Bill I just looked up your dinner recipe. It sounds very good. I kind of agree with you about the Use By dates, but a few of my things were really old. My friend from Canada who was here for Christmas gifted me some things she hadn't moved and they were really old. I just didn't really want to check the dates in front of her

Nationalparker Oh what a day you had yesterday. I would be just been more than fed up by now I'm afraid. I guess I just need to keep remembering that I never want that much stuff for someone to need to deal with. I'm hope you're okay after falling from the porch.

Maryann I'll be curious to hear about how long you slept last night and if it was enough.

[maryann]

Great puttering day: I went crazy and tore everything out of the kitchen and hall pantry. Having read many articles on organizing I thought the cabinets as real estate. Some is prime because it is located no steps when I am prepping. I finally found solutions to problems I have had since i moved in here. All the cabinets are either very low or very high. The cabinets are very deep but none are tall enough to store even a cereal box. GRRR! So yesterday I reclaimed about 9 inchs of space under the sink. I put down water proof gorilla tap and then placed an office vertical file holder. Now I have my cookie sheets vertical. YEAH!! I hated the crunching noises every time i would take them out as they were stored horizontally. I also reclaimed the hood space above the stove. On one side I put new cereal and on the other opened cereal. I made big decisions on my new life post DS and post technology. I have moved all my recipe and recipe books to be sorted at a later date. I moved all the baking stuff to the hall pantry. I try not to eat flour products. Now my smoothie stuff, dried fruits and whole grains can take center stage. I made difficult first world decisions like "How many 8x8 glasses baking pans does one need? " The answer: One covered pyrex and one open. Finally I bought magazine holders to store both cans horizontally and produce. I vacuumed everything .

My food expenditures are insane for two people. I wanted to start working from my pantry this month and only spend cash for at least a month. Now at least I know my big gaps. I understand now that I am changing how DH and I eat, I need to be choosier on what I buy. But this month I am going to work off the pantry to get rid of odds and ends.

Food was OP but hours of working in the kitchen made my toe hurt. I will take it easy today. I think I will plan the month's menus.

Baby shower was a huge success. 30 plus women in various stage of sobriety all pitched in . So heart warming.

Karen: Cheers for us reorganizing the kitchen.
Penny: I love the sweater.
Curleyjax: I know it will all work out with DD. I get anxious before big moves as well.
BBE: Don't get me started on IQ tests. College entrance here in California is a nightmare. I am so glad DS got his in before the pnademic. Noone is getting into the UCs and the state colleges are very selective. No rhyme and reason.
nationalparker: Drat over organizing injuries. Take it easy on yourselves.

[nationalparker]

How many times do I write that we spent the day clearing out at my in-laws ... add another to the list. Most of the work today was in the garage. It is a huge garage/shop and just absolutely loaded with junk and metal - boxes and boxes and boxes of car parts but have to open the boxes to make sure what we're throwing out goes in the right pile/spot - garbage, metal recycling or toxic waste or just recycling. Ran across two wolf spiders today and while I don't tend to drama, I was surprised and scooted back with a solid scream. The first was the biggest spider I've seen outside of the southwest. Dumpster is FULL now, after adding what we could around the edges. I'm so tired of it and cranky at them for allowing it to get to this point, both the house and the garage. But then I have to step back and say we know hoarding is a mental health disorder and we wouldn't be mad if someone had another mental health illness. (So how do they have shows like Hoarders serve as entertainment? Would they have one on schizophrenia?) I'm hoping this is the last dumpster ... it is the size of about 3+ of the ones you'd see behind a grocery store. We have other large things to dump, but I'm hoping we can break them apart to get in trash cans or ... ?? It's $$ to rent each time.

Food was on target today, credit and hooray. Smoothies for breakfast, and then I packed our lunch to eat there - pb sandwich for DH and a veggie sandwich for me. I don't think I'll do that again as it was a big mess. The tomatoes were small pieces, onion fell apart, olives were cut in half, yellow bell pepper and cukes - everything was a battle to keep it between the slices of wheat. I make these when we travel and never had this issue. Brought grapes for the ride back home, and then a quick breakfast for dinner around 8:45. I was too hungry to just skip it.

Karen - You nailed it. I'm so sick of it now. I keep wanting to reward myself with food, instead of looking to better health as a reward. What did the dressing taste like on that salad? It sounds like a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures. I want to add more healthy (enough) dressings to add to summer salads with a grain.

Penny - Have you tried SmittenKitchen's Farro with Tomatoes? It's so easy and so good. I double the red pepper in it, and have tried various other methods to make it better, faster, easier and just keep coming back to the original. I cut the olive oil down but also know it does add to the feel. I skip the parm of course, but a non-vegan friend tried it and she said it didn't add a bunch so she skips it as well. A warm scoop is also good on a salad. Yes, the "nacho" type sauce I make has boiled potatoes and a carrot as the base. I use yellow potatoes as they're a bit gluier than russet and I think it makes it a bit better texture-wise.

Bill - Thank you for referencing the name of the recipe you enjoyed. I pulled it up and will try it for DH. I do not care for tofu but he is a fan. Usually I make it for him a few times each month and I have leftovers. I like having another recommended recipe to try.

CurlyJax - Hang in there with DD - is she planning to get friends to help with her move? With all the public transit there, I hope she does reconsider the need for her car and not having to deal with any parking tickets if no car.

Maryann - I just checked out a book titled SoulSpace by Xorin Balbes and I am really enjoying it so far, touching on the use of our home and how to best create areas that enable us to live the life we want to - at be an artist, a writer, etc. I'm enthused about what might come from this read. A good feeling. (Now I might get further in and think - bleh, but I'll report back haha). The baby formula was a wonderful gift - especially in this time of lack for so many, and it being hard to find now with supply chain issues for that particular product. Peace of mind for her and so generous of you. Thank you for the tip on Quordle last week.

Joy - We're a day behind you in weather, and darn it that the temp is dropping back down - for us, it's tomorrow with rain. Of course, I forgot how HOT 80 degrees can be (karen, stop laughing) when hauling stuff all around or mowing. The tagline on the new book I'm reading from the library is: Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life — Creating a Home That Is Free of Clutter, Full of Beauty, and Inspired by You .. that pulled me right in. (SoulSpace by Xorin Balbes). Are you familiar with this book?

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Excitement was chase the (2 yo) DFGD. Our house quickly looked like a tornado had struck. Was warm enough to walk to the playground near our home. She quickly mastered the smaller climbing structure and demanded to use the one for older kids. Actually, a tough reach for the length of her arms and legs. But 8-year-old kids play rough with each other. They were kind; didn't knock her over. Got my comeuppance: asked a young couple how much food their tiny dog ate each day. "About 70 grams of kibble," she replied. Of course, ask a Japanese lady a question and get the answer in the units of measure used by all of planet earth except for the US. My DS converted it to ounces for me just to remind me that his opinion of his elderly father is that I'd not have already done that myself. Perhaps that was the second comeuppance, LOL.

Eating was on plan with no daytime snacks, CREDIT moi. Dinner was a warmed-up, not previously frozen, cheese lasagna from Whole Foods - making me a vegetarian for the day for the second time this week. DW ate one of the leftover servings of the Golden Tofu Stir-Fry for her lunch, "Reheated well; look forward to the other serving." I passed on reheated tofu - glad to like it as it comes hot off the grill. I carry a memory of rubber-textured tofu that I don't want to encounter again; don't even remember where that happened, but it's not a good memory.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - Temperatures in the 80's are so nice for just being outside. Yay for reduced allergens.

maryann - Yay for vertical baking pans. DW discovered that notion after our last kitchen upgrade and made life so easy. Neat to move your smoothie stuff to the prominent position over the baking stuff.

nationalparker – Thank you again and again for reminding me how much burden we can be leaving our kids by refusing to make decisions about tossing stuff. I try to remind myself that they'll just toss it if I don't. Neat that you found the Golden Tofu Stir-Fry recipe.

Karen (karenrn) - Kudos for planned chips and guacamole; my problem is that a bowl of fresh chips and good guacamole overrides any sense of control. Maybe I can find a Mexican restaurant that charges for refills.

curlyjax - "I helped take her de-christmas her house," Good Grief! It's April, already. That's a person in need of help. I suspect that your DD may find that the Boston subway system along with Uber might satisfy her weekday needs without the burden of a car. Might help her if you can offer to meet her at the train station if she wants to take the MBTA Commuter Rail to your house to get her car for weekend excursions.

Penny. - Yay for a stocked freezer that allows for some non-kitchen days. Your sweater will be a standout. Congrats for taking on a difficult pattern.

Readers -

Chapter 5 Stage 2 - The Think Thin Initial Eating Plan

Graph Your Weight Loss

Your weight may also stall once you start strength training. If you are working out vigorously, you can expect to acquire up to 3 pound of muscle over a period of 12 weeks, which will show up on the scale as a gain. but you haven't gained fat, and the extra muscle will elevate your metabolism and can help you get past a weight-loss plateau.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), Pg 123.