Shannon, my FIL is seeing a doctor about dizzy spells. Next week, he gets fitted with a 24-hour halter monitor to measure his BP for that time to see what is going on. Basically, he's fine standing or lying down, but when he gets up, his BP plummets and he gets dizzy. They also think he has some occlusion in his carotid artery in his neck, but can't get into see the ultrasound people for that until September. I really don't understand the delay in that.

Birchie~no, I'm not seeing any improvement anywhere despite my calories coming in at 1200 or less and exercising daily (30 minutes on a treadmill with a hill climb setting). I guess I'll start adding some weights to see where that takes me. I'd really like my clothes to fit better and my belly to be less jiggly.

Allison, this is one of my goals too. I love weights and they make a big difference to how my body works and how it looks.

Shannon, warm salt water mouthwash (homemade) held over the affected place has stopped bleeding pretty quickly for me. Recommended by the dentist. I have an idea that bleeding stops more quickly in the mouth than elsewhere in the body because it's so important to be able to eat. Very encouraging to hear about those Atlanta hospitals and proper food: shame yours isn't one of them yet.

This 'no food available' or 'no food acceptable to me' thing is so difficult. It happens to me quite frequently which is why I pack food so often. I don't like having a permanent emergency stash because I tend to eat it when I don't need to. In cafes, I'm going for omelette and salad if it's available. On the run (hospitals etc), I haven't cracked it yet. I went through a period of having hot chocolate (drink) but there's so much rubbish in it that I stopped that. The fruit always looks so rough. And I want to have some protein. The trad British thing of going for a walk, followed by tea and cake is hard too. The cakes just aren't up to my homemade standard and I don't want to eat them either. Just a cup of tea, then, and focus hard.

Friday morning, waking in my own bed. My mother's been with me for a week. She said yesterday, "I haven't decided yet when I'll leave." It sounds as though I have no say in the matter, which irks me. I go back to work on Monday.

First time on the scale in three days: 156.4, which is not what I'd hoped for, but not as bad as it might be.

I'm going to post here for accountability. I did successfully avoid the Chipotle at the staff party yesterday (I truly think I was the only one not eating it). However, I did succumb to a cookie and a half earlier in the day from the most amazing bakery. I came in this morning and there is still a giant tray of sweets from that bakery. It will require great willpower to stay away! However, I must! I know I won't get a workout in today as dh is picking me up from work at 2:30 to go sign papers for our home equity loan. Depending on how long that takes/ traffic/ we will likely get dinner somewhere to celebrate my last day of the school year (even though I work through next week). I'm going to be as active as possible at work to compensate....

Monday I'm starting a fitness challenge. I have a teacher friend who just gave up teaching to start her own business-- personal training, fitness coaching, healthy living. I signed up for her "Hot Teacher" 30 day challenge, which is strictly online-- workouts, daily motivation, etc. She teaches the Hot Pilates class I take, which incorporates a lot of HIIT workouts-- she is quite motivating so I'm excited to start.

Hey all, I am back after being stuck in all-day training for two days straight. All-day training which includes a neverending snack bar and catered lunch. Also, my MIL brought a tub of ice cream to our house the other day. Suffice to say, I fell off track this week. Weight at 151 this morning. Back to the gym and healthy eating today. This weekend we have a family picnic with our twins club so I'll try to only have one treat there instead of a whole bunch. Next week I think I can be on track all week, and the week after that we leave on vacation.

Shannon, I hope the dust is settling on the medical and dental craziness of the week, and you've gotten some rest.

Birchie, I'm the same; "emergency" food packs = hey, I have an extra snack!

Rough end to the week: I came down with a bad cold at work yesterday, right when my tech informed me that she's been banking all of our precious samples since we started last year in the WRONG media. One that they cannot survive in. These samples are the entire basis of my work.

I'm feeling beaten down to the point of "why try". This is the second major catastrophe since I started here last year (the first was when the shared cell freezer crashed due to the cord being knocked out). But honestly, why try - I work so hard at trying to get this to work and the incompetence of others makes it an utter impossibility. Why don't they hold themselves to standards half as high as my own? That sounds terrible, I know (but that's the beauty of online friends right?). Being sick at work doesn't help my mindset either.

Today I have to bounce back mentally since now the hard work of damage control begins. I need to be working all weekend, but DH and I have a government workshop starting tonight and going through Sunday night, so no chance of work. Just sitting in a chair coughing.

Our offer on a house is going through today, after we worked on it all night.

Day 4 - somehow managed to stay on new plan, other than a few croutons DH put on my soup.

What???

Seriously? I mean, wouldn't your tech ASK you where to store the samples before doing so? You're the boss, if they didn't know, they shouldn't just assume... Personally, I'd be livid. And I totally understand your "why try" mentality.

Sending supportive thoughts for just the worst news.

JayZeeJay, fire that tech.
Seriously.

JayZee :hug: So sorry! Can anything be salvaged?

Dagmar :(

If that isn't a firing offense, I don't know what is. Yes, fire that tech. JZJ, I am so very sorry.

Weight up to 156.9.

And yet this morning, I ate something so luxurious that I haven't had it in several years: Two pieces of toast with jam. The bread was sprouted Ezekiel bread, and the jam was sugar-free, and I divided one pat of butter between two pieces. Yes, I enjoyed it, as bread has felt like an antique food that many other humans eat, but not me.

Mother's departing today, so I get one day alone before returning to work from my week off.

JayZeeJay....I'm so sorry.... I can only imagine the heartbreak. I hope things are looking less bleak for you.

Sunday morning, at 155.8.

Thinking of London.

Thank you, saef.

In the garden this morning. Best place to be, I think. A bit of furniture moving this afternoon with the others. We're always trying to make more space.

Weight down a smidgeon. Food quite good.