[karenrn]

Good evening coaches,

I can't believe I'm posting so late. Food has been on plan. I did my Bell Pass hike 7 1/2 miles this morning and did my best time so far, by one minute. I got home and walked Otis and had a fairly lazy day. I did my arm exercises, plank and also got in the pool this afternoon. Dh is doing very well. He is less sore today and the swelling is down. I guess I don't need to worry about dh being home yet, he's going back to work on Monday. I would imagine he will only work half a day or so, but we'll see. I know at least he won't be taking the stairs to the 4th floor like he has been doing.

Penny It sounds like you've turned the corner. Seems good that your daughter wanted to go to the school festival.

Nationalparker Your schedule is making me tired. Yes, do remember to drink plenty of fluids especially when you're working so hard.

Curlyjax I'm glad you have a saint for a ds who can help out with the driving/moving duties. That's great that dd is all graduated and ready for her nursing classes. How long will it be?

Maryann The shoes are cute. They look like some one of the gals on YouTube has been showing.

GardenerJoy I'm so impressed with your daily exercise streak. I get plenty of exercises, but I certainly have days off.

Bill So nice you were able to help the neighbor out with a good savings for them. I wish we knew more of our neighbors. We've lived here for seventeen years now but many of the neighbors have changed since then. Without kids it's a little harder. Also most of us drive into our garages and then the time outdoors is in the back.

Onebyone Yay for being in a new decade.

[nationalparker]

Another quick note as I think tomorrow and Monday may be slammed for time. A busy day with me looking at the clock to make sure we picked up two grandkids on time (4 yo DGD and almost 3 yo DGS). Massive storms moved in on the last 10 minutes of the drive there so we sat in the car when we arrived, waiting for a break in the downpour, but none. Finally made a run for it to their apartment. Loaded them up and on our way home, an hour trip. They are good kids, though as with many that age, a one-time alert to not do anything does little. I ended up hurting the boy's feelings at bed because he continued to do something I said to stop and then after a few times, I pulled out my Mean Nana voice and sharply said, "I SAID STOP" and the waterworks turned on. He said he wanted his daddy and baby brother. I said I know they miss him, too, and was stroking his head ... he wanted to go HOME. I said I know but it's a really long walk and it might storm again, so better off to wait until after breakfast and when we play in the morning and then Nana will take him home. Snuffles until he fell asleep. I am not patient, yet when I think of myself, I do think I AM patient, so there's a massive disconnect on that trait.

Day 11 of my challenge was a dud. I am trying to just hold onto it for the next few days. Tonight was the first day I overate, snacking on glazed pecans I made tonight for salads, etc., for the rest of the month.Had 1/4 of a cup, so a solid 225 calories on that snack. Then I made popcorn for just myself as everyone else was sleeping. I have a microwave popper where you just put 1/4 c kernels in and it pops without oil. But this time I added a tbsp plant based butter melted. I think I figured, why stop with the fat in the pecans. Oh well ...

OH, why I logged on to post was that DH's brother came there today while we were there, and in conversation, he thought DH couldn't sell the folks' house for nine months ... he had mixed up how long debtors have to submit bills with the house sale. I'd mentioned that we were aiming to get it ALL DONE in the next two weeks, which brought up this conversation. He said I couldn't figure out why you were trying to get everything done so fast. (Now, mind you, it's been four months since they passed.) ... But that is a bit illuminating. I also suggested to DH that we speak to his brother's girlfriend to see if she'd be interested in buying the antiques for a certain price, and would actually look to her for a realistic number as she's more familiar and knows what sells in this area, and then if she can flip them and make money, good for her. We just really want the stuff OUT. She loves antiques and has a houseful. I told DH I had no agenda (based on an earlier argument), and he was in complete agreement. We'd hold back two large pieces of furniture as not part of that, but fingers crossed she'd be interested in the rest. Mentally I think we made more progress.

Karen - GREAT news that DH is motoring around on his own, already. Is that exceedingly fast?
CurlyJax - Credits to you for raising two good kids! Sounds like your son is a good harmonizer regarding feelings in the family.
Bill - Very neighborly of you! Having a good set of neighbors is important to me (my SIL once said, well... if you think that's important, like it was of no concern to her), not that we are in and out of each other's homes like Ethel and Lucy, but we touch base regularly.
Penny - I'm glad that your pain is lessening and good news that DD was interested in heading to school festival. I think that's a good sign.

Not sure how late the kids will sleep, so I'm signing off and hitting the sack.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Took a walk, CREDIT moi, and chatted with a neighbor. "Wife and I just passed the Nationalization test," he told me. Never thought they'd do it but their oldest, now teen, wasn't born in the USA - only been here since she was one years old; she'd have to be sent 'home' when she turned 18. One of the hundred questions he was asked, "Who was the first postmaster general of the US?" "Ben Franklin," I immediately told him. "You're the first American that I've told that story to who knew that," he said. Good to know that we aren't allowing anyone to be a US citizen who doesn't know that Ben Franklin was the first postmaster. Best I can recall, I just learned this a year ago. Apparently, I've been a fake citizen all this time.

Eating was on plan with no daytime snacks, CREDIT moi. Dinner was the shrimp stir fry concoction from Trader Joe's that gets used when the cook has been out fiddling with her plants all day - probably a low calorie meal. It's got lots of veggies and shrimp aren't caloric. We ate it outside on the patio!!! First time for the year. Our local Northern Cardinal was noisy the whole time. Her large vase of Coleus, freshly planted for the season, was visible waiting for me to haul it to the front of the house where it has been displayed for decades. Choosing her Coleus each year is one of the little joys of life. Chooses a set that will look good together. This year for the first time she got four plants instead of five, "Want to see how they look when less crowded." Apparently, gardeners never stop designing.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - Love the notion of your grateful Future Self. Might try to use that.

maryann - Wish that I'd remember this more often, "By consenting to be bound I am free." So neat that your seniors are so in charge of their studies that they can choose Hacksaw Ridge.

nationalparker – Ouch for getting "helpful advice" suggesting that you halt your progress. My take on the nine-month wait is that it doesn't prevent selling the house; it requires that the Executor hold the money in case a claim is filed late. One can note that houses and cars are often sold shortly after a death. If this wasn't so, then every car of a deceased would need to sit in the driveway for nine months - obviously not possible. Your lawyer should be able to nip that one in a fifteen-second phone call.

Karen (karenrn) - Can't believe that your DH will travel to the office on Monday - even if he doesn't climb the stairs. Super fast healing there.

curlyjax - Kudos to you for raising a DS who'll drive three hours to get his sister's stuff - the very stuff that he'll have to climb over until she moves into her Boston apartment. You sound like one busy lady.

Penny. - Yay for feeling well enough to drive. So happy to hear that your 11-year-old likes her school enough that she wanted to go to the festival. Congrats to you both for getting her there.

Readers -

Chapter 5 Stage 2 - The Think Thin Initial Eating Plan

Before You Move On

And the longer you stay on the program, the more you will see your rebellious streak weakening as you:. . .

• Give yourself credit for all of your positive eating behaviors.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), Pg 126.

[curlyjax]

I decided to give myself a little me time yesterday, so went to the library where I haven’t been for ages and chatted with one of the librarians I am friendly with. I then decided to treat myself to some ice cream and sat in my car with it, reading a book on losing weight I did buy a panera salad for dinner at least. I called two friends to chat, then finally got around to what I had been putting off: moving things out of the living room to accommodate more of DD’s stuff. The kids arrived home around 11:00, and I helped unload the cars. So lots of exercise.
Today will be groceries after I’ve figured out some meals, and helping DD with other stuff for nursing school prep, which officially starts tomorrow. I also need to get some more warm weather clothes out, it’s another hot day.
Penny- yay for driving and leaving the house! Nice that DD wanted to get a photo at school.
Karen- great that DH is able to get back to work already. Nursing school is 16 months, so not too long, and includes clinicals each term.I’m so glad she has had some hospital experience already working as a PCA, it all sounds a bit overwhelming to me.
Nationalparker- DS is indeed the peacemaker; I feel like he gives in too much with his sister to keep the peace though. Little kids are exhausting and definitely try one’s patience! So interesting about the house process. I would give yourself some slack during all this, you will have time to regroup afterwards, and you’re certainly getting exercise!
Bill-Interesting about the Naturalization test. I’ve had that Trader joe’s meal and its good but i’m hungry afterwards

[gardenerjoy]

My current clearing project has taken me into my supply closet -- office and art supplies. One thing that I'm dealing with is that there have been times in my life when abundance was required to open up my creativity. I worked really hard to allow myself to have that abundance, to convince myself that I deserved it. Having done that and benefited from it, I now find it difficult to navigate to an awareness that the opposite may be true at this stage in my life. I want to hold on to the part that loves myself enough to provide abundance while also acknowledging that self-love, at this moment, may look like getting rid of the excess.

There's also some looking at mortality, here. There are quite a few things (file folders, binder clips, 5x8 cards, stationery, scraps of cardboard) that I own more than a lifetime supply of -- either because I have a lot from times when I did use more of them or because modern life no longer requires things like pretty paper for letter-writing or bits of cardboard to protect photos in the mail.

So far, I've found it easiest to let go of things when I can find someone else to appreciate them. Last week, I gave a whole bunch of excess art supplies to an 11-year-old budding artist. Her mom said that she was moved to tears at the abundance. Which pleases me a lot, since I know exactly how important that abundance is at certain stages of artist development.

This week, though, I may need to watch myself throw carefully saved cardboard into the recycling bin.

Exercise +60, 730/1500 minutes for May

[karenrn]

Good morning coaches,

Food has been on plan and weight down a tiny smidge today. I decided not to hike cause I just didn't want to get up and rush this morning. I did take Otis for a walk, I've got laundry going and I'm doing some food prep. I made some tofu cubes in the air fryer and I have some peppers and onions roasting along with a pan of sweet potatoes and another pan of other potatoes that I was afraid would go bad if they didn't get cooked.

Dh is doing well again today and walked to the end of the block and back. He got nearly 5000 steps in yesterday. Even though surgery took awhile because it was kind of technical replacing the ball and cleaning up the area where he had the pseudo tumor and scar tissue, they didn't have to replace the post that goes down the femur. I'm sure that has allowed him to bear weight much sooner.

GardenerJoy I think your supply closet would be equivalent to my hiking/backpacking closet. I have several water filters etc. that I have not used and probably should pass on at a backpacking group meeting when I attend again. There are other things too, but I keep thinking since I have the space I don't want to let go of something I may want in the future. One of these days. You are doing such a thoughtful job of letting go.

Curlyjax I'm glad you took some time for yourself. That sounds like a good thing. I'm sure the hospital experience will serve your dd well. I was working in the stock brokerage business when I decided to go to nursing school and quit and went to work at a hospital. I was so glad to have that experience even though it was quite a cut in pay. Does she know what area of nursing interests her?

Bill Good thing I was born here, I doubt I'd pass the test unless they have a booklet to memorize. Eating outside sounds great and I just love coleus. I used to have a really large one as a houseplant in Washington.

Nationalparker I'm sure you are patient with the kids. I think that's funny about bil. So if you couldn't sell the house for 9 months you would wait that long to clean it out. Heck it's about taking that long. Nice excuse though for him not helping. I missed a couple of days on my challenge too on day of surgery and the next day. I just got back to it and I'm sure you will too.

Waving to Penny, Maryann and Onebyone.

[maryann]

Happy Sunday, Coaches.

Joy: I relate to facing mortality in throwing away paper in terms of teaching. I have winnowed many things but I have kept my Language and Comp AP plans in the very unlikely circumstance of being forced to tech it. But the truth is I could teach with my computer only if I lost everything today. It is just amazing to me how life has changed in my profession with the advent of the tech. I do think once I throw it away I will never teach again and that is a big one after 33 years.
Penny: Awesome your little one has become so connected to school.
CurleyJax: Yeah for seeing through graduation plans. I don't know if there is a p[\arent alive that says, "Boy that ceremony in the heat was super fun." But once DS lost his HS graduation to the pandemic, I am really looking forward to going to his college ceremony.
nationalparker: i can't believe you have been cleaning for four months It is such a life lesson for me as I firmly adopt a replacement policy. If I buy something new, two must go out.
BBE; I would like to rent your DW to come help me with my potted plants. I'll pay her in free nights in Lake Tahoe.
Karen: I am going to hire you for my personal trainer to get me back in shape. I tried to hike yesterday but the toe that had surgery was aching and I don't want to mess it up. I feel like such a blob. I have to have faith that I can make it back into shape.

A nice night at Tahoe. DH is always happy to be here. We brought our one ton dump truck up loaded with a cord of old walnut wood. For BBE that is 5,000 pounds approx. DH sells it to people who use it for their fuel during the winter. We are going to head home early to check out a couple of parks on the way home. When DS was little we use to have Sunday outings and check out a new park in a neighboring city.

Food is not great and I am holding on to the end of school which is the first week in June. I am watching styling videos as a relaxer during these rather hectic days. DH reminded me that styling is a way of taking care of the little teenager in myself that was over 200 pounds with no clothes that fit and a bowl haircut. Some times that inner kid needs a little tending and some sparkly shoes.

[Penny.]

Good morning!

Yesterday was my first overbudget food day after a 42 day streak. I had some of the crock pot lasagna made for dinner. The pasta was overcooked and it reminded me of the canned Chef Boyardee stuff but still good. Not good enough to tempt me a second day.

Finished reading The Alchemist yesterday, another one that had been neglected for so long. I was surprised by all the negative reviews on Good Reads from people who thought it was the worst self help book. I didn't read it as a self help book and think it is a pretty great little story.

Two more books to continue today, and maybe some knitting. Exciting times!

Have a great day, everyone!

[nationalparker]

Another long day working at the in-laws house. We took the grand kids home by 12:30, then stopped for gas and subway veggie sandwiches as time was limited to prep our mid-afternoon meal. The frugal person and me hates to spend money on things we can make it home, but at times it just needs to be done. I did bring fruit and our drinks.

We will have a quick turnaround and be on the road heading back out there by 8:30 in the morning and hopefully doing three runs of metals in the trucks trailer. Steel will pay the most And we have two loads of that but it's very heavy. I'm not sure what I'll be able to lift and carry into the trailer (car engines, etc)... But I'll try and do what I can.

Weight is up several pounds and I'm to the point of being so frustrated that I'll continue the challenge, but may stop the daily weighing for data sake bc of my feeling. It's not making sense with food intake if only one day of eating over, and that was by maybe 300 calories when I totalled it up from yesterday and not just looking at the night food. Answers from the endocrinologist re Hashimoto's in a little more than a week and maybe that will be the connection between this stuff.

Got more than 10,000 steps in while working in the garage there, listening to my audiobook. Clearing out cabinets, putting items to recycle/metal, cardboard, trash, over and over.

DH's brother came to get the vehicle he wanted and sign the papers. He wasn't thinking we couldn't sell once he understood the situation. While I loaded the trailer with shred recycling, and DH mowed, he swept out part of the garage. I get irritated at how little he wants to do. Then, when DH was ready to do the paperwork on truck, they did that and then his brother took off.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Exercise was chase the (2 yo) DFGD who dropped by with our DS and DIL, her "Oma" and "Opa". Three word phrases is her new thing. Earlier this week she had told my DS, "Not this one, that one" - which appears to me to be a pretty sophisticated phrase since "No" was a sufficient choice. Feels super watching that she's growing as would seem normal. Think we were confused initially since her speaking seemed late when they first got her. Might have been her first exposure to English, as well as her first exposure to a lot of speaking since she was one of many COVID babies who didn't get out much their first year. She dropped her Oma's can of soda, then helped us all wipe it up with towels - actually doing a little bit of useful work, but certainly wanting to help. Was greatly distraught that Oma offered her a piece of banana with the skin removed. No. No. NO. She wanted the skin wrapped back on so she could remove it. Seemed pretty normal.

Eating was on plan with no daytime snacks, CREDIT moi, even when the guests were here. "Dinner will be dahl," DW told me. We sat down to bowls of . . . chili. "Excuse me?" I asked. "I saw a container of brown. Eat what you're served," I got told. A smart husband knows when to change the topic.

Walked, CREDIT moi, around the neighborhood. Stopped to chat with a neighbor who was hand washing his newish Tesla Model 3. Yep, he knew that it could be sold right now for more than the cost of a new one, "But I'd have to wait six months without a car." The unusual spike in used car prices hasn't fully resolved. Nor has the wait time when ordering a new all electric car. Glad I'm not in the market right now.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - So neat that you found a good taker for your abundance of art supplies. Wanting to do that with every single thing that I own is one of my challenges to getting rid of anything at all. Kudos for being able to acknowledge mortality.

maryann - That's a lot of prime hard wood. Hope your dump truck could just dump it so that you and your DS didn't have to unload all 5000 pounds by hand. Neat idea that the sparkly shoes are for the little kid inside.

nationalparker – So neat that you had time with the grands as a relief from the hard labor you're putting into your in-law's house. You're being more kind with your DH's brother than I'd be.

Karen (karenrn) - Your DH is making amazing progress; hope he doesn't go too fast.

curlyjax - Best meme ever - sitting in a car eating ice cream while reading a book about losing weight. Love the thought of going to the library where one can chat with a real live librarian.

Penny. - I thoroughly enjoyed The Alchemist - maybe because, like you, I was only reading it as a good story. Felt like I shouldn't tell anyone that it didn't change my life. Knitting seems like a good choice for exercise for you right now.

Readers -

Chapter 5 Stage 2 - The Think Thin Initial Eating Plan

Before You Move On

And the longer you stay on the program, the more you will see your rebellious streak weakening as you: . . .

• Feel proud of yourself.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), Pg 126.

[Penny.]

Good morning!

Yesterday included an extra food again and weight is holding. It always starts with one day and then can keep me stalled for months. I need to be tougher today.

It's gorgeous outside here this morning. I might get the deck table and chairs wiped off and pillowed for an outdoor lunch, if it's warm enough.

The rain comes too often still to leave the chair pillows on.

Nationalparker, veggie subway subs are my go-to sometimes when I work and can't get home for lunch. It feels like such a treat when I'm eating healthy. It feels like less of a treat when I'm not eating healthy. lol

Bill, I'm glad to be out of the used car market right now too. That was rough! I would like to eventually swap out my minivan for a second smaller car but I'm not going to worry about it right now. Good to know you also enjoyed the Alchemist without the extra self help expectations. I enjoyed his other book Hippie before I learned The Alchemist is his more famous book.

Have a great day everyone!

[karenrn]

Good morning coaches,

Food was over budget yesterday and weight is up. I did some cooking and then had some extra samples. I think the biggest culprit was probably the air fryer tofu cubes. They also were marinated in some low sodium soy sauce, so I imagine some of the gain is water. Also just increased portion sizes and a bit of the protein drink I made for dh. Goal today is to be very mindful of true hunger and portion sizes. I met my new friend for a hike in an area where I don't go as often and had a really nice hike and visit. It's just really good to connect with people and just to know that each of us has issues, we are not alone. Just got back from walking Otis who needed some extra encouragement to get going. Now I'm home and needing some extra encouragement myself to do a few things around here. Maybe it's about time I start making some lists again.

I've been listening to a Rich Roll podcast this morning. His guest is Dr. Will Bulsiewicz who is a GI doctor who specializes in Fiber and the microbiome. It really is quite fascinating about how the microbiome works and can prevent or reduce disease. It's a long one, but some of you may find it interesting. It encourages me to continue increasing fiber and incorporating more and different vegetables.

Dh went to work this morning. He woke up extra early and I thought he might take a pain pill a couple of hours before driving, but he said no he didn't need one and would be driving. Good for him. I'm thinking when he comes home for lunch he may stay home. We'll see.

Bill It's so fun that you have the children around. We used to have some children of nieces and nephews, but they've moved to Georgia. Yes the car market is crazy right now; I sure hope mine plans to give me many more miles.

Nationalparker Holy night be careful of your back today. What a lot of work. I'm afraid I'd be pretty unhappy with the brother in law. It would be different if there were a lot of cash hanging around and you could pay someone to do the work. You know my weight can really jump up from what doesn't seem to be much, but as you know there is so much more involved. Even all the work and exercise can be causing your muscles to be retaining extra water.

Penny Enjoy the healing time that you are having. I read the Alchemist a few years back. My son had recommended it. Wow a 42 day streak of eating on plan is amazing.

Maryann Don't jeopardize the healing of your toe. There is nothing more important than our feet for hiking. You will do fine when you need to hike, but not if your toe is still messed up. I sprained my ankle badly 8 weeks before doing the Tour du Mont Blanc hike. I barely hiked in the 8 weeks before going and it was fine.

GardenerJoy You seem to be doing so well on being organized about what you want to accomplish and then doing it. Maybe you need to write a list for me.

Curlyjax I hope you had a little time for relaxation yesterday.

Waving to Onebyone.

[gardenerjoy]

Quick check-in since I'm determined to write today, the only day this week that has nothing on the calendar.

I'm pleased to be on track to surpass my exercise goal in May, half-way through.

Exercise +60, 790/1500 minutes for May

[nationalparker]

Another long day working at clearing out DH's folks property. First metal recycling dropoff was over 1,200 pounds. We realized there that we needed to sort the next load a bit differently. We got home and I said let's load the tires up and dispose of them next to get a lot more cleared out. Twenty two tires!! 22! I had to bring four old old ones up from the basement too. It sounds like that should have taken only two hours max but its slow... to just get into the next town is a half hour away and a bit slower with the trailer. Started cleaning out the basement but I needed a long sleeve shirt bc there are so many hanging cobwebs that I hate them catching on my heads and arms. A weenie. Got some done but plenty more left. We were there almost 10 hours today. DH got stung by a wasp again and also into poison ivy when he was trying to move a fallen dead tree. So a stop at three stores before the third was open. To get the product to remove the oil, Technu. I thought CVS and Walgreens were open until at least 9. Not here. Food was good but scale is frustratingly high. We'll see after more water and a few regular days.

We will have our 4.5 yo grandson this weekend, and every other one until mid June. so we have to plan the time out there as we are in the hopefully home stretch. All fingers crossed!

Personal notes tomorrow. Just trying to stay afloat tonight.

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Walk, CREDIT moi, was getting into its stride when I felt rain. I wasn't wearing a hat or jacket - just a t-shirt with each drop going directly to the skin. And I had my billfold in my pocket; in the olden days I left home like a runner hardly clothed and certainly with nothing in my pockets. Alas, I turned around and headed home. Made myself a cup of tea just as the last drop fell. I got bamboozled.

For dinner we picked up Poke Bowls - the traditional Hawaiian full meal dish. Neither of us had ever had one before. Quite good. For an additional $1555 each we could have flown to Hawaii, itself, for the real deal. Saved spending that. Got it from a tiny place in the basement of another restaurant. As much as I believe in strong tipping at standard restaurants, I'm not a fan of requests for tips for counter take out. But since COVID, I've felt a soft spot for all restaurants trying to survive. So I pushed the button for a 20% tip hoping that I was contributing to them making it. We ate them on the patio pretending that it was still as warm as yesterday. Came in before goose-bumps were visible, LOL.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - Congrats for sticking to your May exercise goal.

nationalparker – Neat that you'll have your DGS every other weekend this summer. You are doing so much physical labor cleaning that house. Around here, we'd have to pay to dispose of those 22 tires.

Karen (karenrn) - Thanks for the reminder, "each of us has issues, we are not alone" - as much as we've been telling kids that for years, it's easy to forget for ourselves.

Penny. - Cheers for enough warmth, without rain, to have lunch outdoors. I still miss the space of my minivan even though it's been gone for years now.

Readers -

Chapter 5 Stage 2 - The Think Thin Initial Eating Plan

Before You Move On

And the longer you stay on the program, the more you will see your rebellious streak weakening as you: . . .

• Realize how good it feels to be in control.

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., The Complete Beck Diet for Life (Green book), Pg 126.