Hey all...

Day 3 went well for me til last night...I succumbed to a bowl of ice cream AND a hershey bar. The more I thought about it, I decided that if I was counting points, I would still be either under or within, so I'm not starting over...just keepin' on. For some reason, the 3rd day usually ALWAYS trips me up...So this time, I'm taking it in stride and forging ahead! We DO need those higher point days every so often to confuse the metabolism, so there's mine! Back on the straight and narrow today!

Wildfire...As you can see, I can definitely relate about the difficult day, but maintaining our focus will get us through them.

Eydie...sorry about the surgery cancellation...maybe it's for the best...wasn't he planning on doing it in a sterile environment in the first place? Hang in there!

babette...feeling any better? R & R for you... and keep drinking that tea!

crone...maybe you should have a calorie police escort in the convenience stores only...you know, radio ahead as you approach your destination...they can post two big burly ones in front of the dulce de la leche case, as two more accompany you through the store...just a thought! Send them over to me when you're done...

OK...I'm off to walk the dog, my low key exercise for the day...then I'll cut the grass...yes, this is my day of rest!

Have a good one, all...

Well, here I go again!!! Day One is progressing well. I'm very busy with writing assignments for school and work, so hope that keeps me off the streets and away from the convenience store. Didn't hop on the scale for my usual weigh-in as it is bound to be up just from all the stuff I ate last night, so I'm going on the assumption that I'm maintaining the 164.5 and we'll see next week. Denial can be good!!! I don't want to be discouraged and not follow through on this block walk. My exercise was good last week ... 1800 calories burned through workouts (approximately). Weekly average was 2300, give or take, because I didn't plug in yesterday's calories (lost count). Oh, well, it's all helpful for the metabolism. Today is cooler (so far) and I feel more in control.

Katrina: I think you are right ... the convenience store needs a full-time calorie patrol. By the looks of some of the regulars (including me), that'd be a good thing. Good luck on the straight and narrow!!!

Wildfire: And some days you're the kitty and some days the litterbox! But I don't mind! That's life and I like life. But I'd like to like life at 30 fewer pounds, so you bet I'm starting over again!!! Great job on the fries, BTW! My belief is that fries are a useless anachronism from the 1950s and ought to be phased out and replaced by ... I don't know, what could take their place on the quick stop menu?

Babette (who is getting smaller and smaller and hopefully feeling better and better): You are really on top of this Block Walk thing. I am determined to succeed as you did in getting round that block ... and remembering the numbers from two to 21! Have a great day!

1/0/1 (FOR THE FINAL TIME!!!)

Wheee! Up to day 8 and it hasn't been easy but I'm hanging in there. I've gotten my workout in for the day and now I can be completely lazy.

Thanks everybody for the sympathy for my surgery that wasn't. The deal was I was referred to this doc who thought it was going to be an in-office thing but when he saw it it looked more complicated and more of a hospital thing. So unfortunately it's gotten more dramatic in my head too--just want to get it over with. Did I mention that I was told that all these years I've only irritated the thing more by all that foolish walking and yoga? Oh my, you gotta laugh!

I've been meaning to ask: did anyone see Oprah last Tuesday with Dr. Phil where he was talking about weight? He was saying that if we're overweight it's not an accident and that we had to work for it, and that we're getting a 'pay-off' from being overweight. I've been thinking about that and I really can't come up with anything specific--other than the classic 'weight is my excuse for not getting on with life, etc.
Also, there was a woman on who said that she panicked whenever she lost a few pounds and I can relate to that. Seems that when I'm doing really well is when I have a big fall. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Hi Blockettes,

Just popping in to report on getting another day in. I didn't exercise today, thinking that possibly laying off would help me be better sooner. I may still make my exercise commitment this week, but I guess if I don't because I'm too sick to exercise, I'll have to cut myself some slack. My points were up to 40 today. Don't know why I would be hungry, but I was. Got in my 3L water, 7 fruits/veggies, and meditated. Now I'm going back to bed

Thanks for all the good wishes!

xo
babette
6/211 (-4)/2

So far, so good! Seem to have stopped eating at 1915 calories and no plans to eat anything else. Exercise was 50 minutes divided into two quick fitness walks and one 30 minute combination of a walk followed by Leslie's Walk Fit tape with the Lex band or something like that. I haven't used it in ages, but it's a soothing light resistance tape for the legs, which I really need to strengthen carefully if I'm ever to get my hiking and jogging happy self back.

Babette: You are almost through a week on your block and you've even been sick ... you're doing wonderfully! WTG and hope you feel better.

Eydie: A great Day 8 down and a fine Day 9 yet to shine! Congratulations! I can relate to how it feels to be told you aggravated a physical condition by all that healthy exercise. I've been told that about the knees, but the truth is my knees were (and are) better when they are being exercised. Do those yahoos think I'm going to just sit down and grow large again and let my arteries harden so that I can drop dead in 10 years so my knees don't hurt?! I don't think so.

Re: Oprah ... I'm not a big fan of hers but I am always interested in her weight struggles. You've got to admire her for the guts to keep coming back and trying again and again when she gains the weight back and for sharing with the world that even with all her fame, money and staff of experts, it just isn't that easy to maintain a weight loss. (It's not impossible, though).

Re: Dr. Phil's point, I agree with it, but think it's an oversimplification of a complex set of physiological and psychological dynamics that are at work in weight management. That said, I realized some time ago that I really LIKE playing the weight loss game and I believe I felt somewhat lost when I dropped 100 pounds rather easily and there I was trying to maintain it. But in maintenance, you don't get the thrill of the scale dipping every week, your jean sizes dropping, your friends admiring your fortitude in sticking to your plan, men you've known for years suddenly looking at you in a surprised fashion, etc. So then when you are in maintenance and you don't get all those thrills, PLUS you aren't really having any fun with food anymore (e.g., dulce de leche binges whenever you feel like it), your subconscious or something could prompt you to put pounds back on.

And, of course, there IS that classic thing about weight being a way to put life on hold. I'm pretty sure my brain has bought into that one. (Trouble is life goes on without consulting whether I'm ready for it).

I think one answer to the maintenance not being any fun thing is that when we lose the weight, we have to totally be ready to retrain our eating and exercise habits and to learn to totally enjoy the new lifestyle. We have to be ready to give up the dulce de leche stuff for good and to never look back. I personally don't know if I'll ever be ready for that, but I continue on anyway.

Onward to Day 2!!

1/0/1 (For the Final Time)

Back to Day 1 for me.
The lesson is I simply can't have ice cream [even the low-fat kind!] in the house---period! Even though I had watermelon, blueberries, strawberries and cherries in the frig all washed and ready to eat, the ice cream still won. Okay, I get it--no more 1/2 gallons of ice cream and no more pints either!

Hi Blockettes! I'm still sick, but am at least ambulatory today. I'm going to do my circuit training and the other half of my yoga session in a bit. I decided against trying to do the elliptical trainer and the circuit training in the same day -- hope to be able to do the former tomorrow. Then, if I manage Tai Chi (of course I can!) I'll have gotten in my exercise commitments for the week.

Crone, I sympathize with you over your knees. My poor old knees have definitely been mistreated over the years. But exercise can also be used to strengthen the muscles that support our knees and to keep them more flexible.

I am fascinated by Oprah's weight problem! What it seems to indicate is that the only resources we can count on to ensure our success are our inner ones, 'cause she can surely get herself anything external. It does seem amazing to me that Oprah (who I see as controlling most aspects of her life to the Nth degree) has as much trouble as most of us when it comes to her weight.

Of course, the positive side of this is that it also means that we all have the resources we need to succeed at weight loss. Not that it makes it easy but I think the more we understand that we're the ones in control of our weight, the better. That's a lesson I've relearned a number of times. One of my "aha" moments lately was thinking that I'd give ANYTHING to be as slender as one of my sisters (in fact, 20 pounds more would make me happy!) and then realizing that if that were true, I would have my wish. All I had to do was decide what I would have to give. And then give it.

Eydie --- Walking and yoga???!! What is with those people? What would they have you do, precisely? Nothing? If you didn't exercise, maybe the cyst would have not developed as quickly, but all sorts of other maladies would have progressed just fine.

RE: Dr Phil -- I know that I use overweight to distance me from the world and people. I had a traumatic event about 12 years ago, and didn't realize I was gaining until I'd gained 60 pounds (how? my capacity for self-delusion is apparently well developed). But then I went to visit a good friend that hadn't seen me in the meantime and when she hugged me the thought came into my head: "but I didn't mean to distance myself from YOU." Guess I need some other kind of protection...

About panicking at the loss of a few pounds... definitely there is something in me that is threatened by the very idea. I saw that Dr. Phil series of shows, and I remember watching it and feeling positively electrified! Thinking "I'm going to do this!" SO positive! And then within a half hour of the show, I found myself standing mid-binge in front of the fridge. I felt pretty close to despair when that happened, like I just had no ability to control myself.

But by eliminating the situations that make control most difficult for me, and taking it one (1) day at a time, I am making progress.

Katrina, I'm glad you didn't take the unplanned snack as a failure. It sounds entirely like a normal eating episode, maybe not one that you want to repeat very often, but normal. Thanks for the advice about the tea -- I've been making pots of green/ peppermint/ echinacea tea and drinking it non-stop. Can't hurt!

Wildfire, hope you're doing well!

Keep walking, Blockettes! We'll get there!
xo
babette
7/211 (-4)/2

I think I'll make it this time, but it "ain't over till it's over!" I don't know who said this ... a sports person. Anyhow, I'm at 1830 calories and seem to be done eating for the day. I've done 20 minutes of fitness walking so far, hope to add more minutes of exercise after I get home from seeing some friends. I have made a vow that I WILL NOT EAT AT MY FRIENDS' HOUSE, OR ON THE WAY HOME. If I feel hungry when I get home, I'll have a small fruit shake ... just frozen fruit and Splenda ... 50 calories, give or take.

Eydie: Sorry to hear about your run-in with the evil Ice Cream Demon. This creature hides in the very depth of our freezers, growing in strength until one day it bursts forth and attacks any passing human. The good news IS the demon has calcium!

Mmmm! Watermelon, blueberries, strawberries and cherries, plus lots of ice, all frapped into a frozen treat in the blender ... now THAT sounds like a demon antidote. I need some!!!


2/0/1

Wow! I don't think I've gone this long OP in quite some time! Enthusiasm has not waned yet, either! I'm psyched! I think, no...I KNOW, the fact that I have not had any processed food and no sugar (Except for my minor blip on Saturday) has done wonders for my moods, energy level, and definitely the scale...I didn't get a chance to check last night (I have my favorite scale at work) but last peek had me down 3 lbs...according to gym scale it's 5 lbs, but I need to coordinate both on the same day to be sure they are showing the same weight. I don't want to become a slave to the scale, but as crone so aptly put it, there is that "thrill of the scale dipping!" Very motivating! I know that can sometimes backfire too...so I'll go back to once a week weigh-ins...soon!

babette...I hope you're feelling perky again soon!

crone... frozen fruit frappe sounds marvelous! Just fruit, ice and blend? Gonna have to give that a whirl! (pun intended!)

Edyie...ice cream will win out EVERY TIME with me...no matter what luscious fruits I have in the house...I try not to have it in the house, but with kids, it's hard...so I try to get things I really don't care for...unfortunately, there's not too many!

Wildfire...how are you doing? I'd have a hard time in a pub staying OP...good for you!

Gotta run...must wake the boy for school...only three more days after today...I'm as anxious as they are for school to be over. Once school's out, I'll be able to head right over to the gym as soon as I get off work @ 7am...there will be no stopping me then!

Have a good one, blockettes!

Good Morning, Blockettes!

It has come to my attention that somehow I messed up my numbers and this is actually Day 7. I'm not sure how that happened... seems like I must have added a day onto Block 1 to think about what to do for Block 2. Not sure! Anyway, all is going pretty much according to plan, except I switched a 3-mile walk for a high-intensity workout, due to illness. I guess that's valid. Tomorrow's WI, so I hope to have something to show for the first week of this block.

Let's make this a fabulous day!
xo
babette
7/211 (-4)/2

Congratulations on block #1, Babette!

Can I join in again? I'm home sick today, but hopefully will be back in the swing of things tomorrow.

June 19, 2002
My 21 day challenge:

1) 64 oz water

2) eat at least 6 veggies and fruits

3) eat 26-31 points

4) exercise at least 5times a week

5) log food intake in food journal

Here's to the challenge,
Malia

Day six and still OP. Weigh in tomorrow night. I don't know why, but I always assume I'm going to be told I've gained or maintained. I live in fear of the dreaded weigh in. Yes, yes, I know it is more important to do the lifestyle change and average a healthy weight loss over time and that there will be ups and downs....but it doesn't change my dread one bit. There are so many variables...water, clothing, time of day, time of month, etc., that nudge the scale one way or the other, but it all comes down to hearing how many pounds gained or lost in seven days.

Hi prism! Glad you're joining us!

Katrina, you're doing great! Actually, my night at the pub was quite motivating. I was dressed in black & white peasant blouse, jeans, and dainty black slide sandals with a low heel that have a cute little leather bow on top. (Ok, so I have a thing for shoes!) Of course I did the obligatory, "Honey, do I look alright?" to hubby and he said I looked hot, and maybe I shouldn't go out after all. I stayed completely away from the finger food that was ordered, had just one beer (and counted it!) and felt really good about the whole thing. Really, my whole attitude about myself changes when I'm OP. I know I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it, and it makes me feel good about myself.

Crone, I'll have to pick your brain for smoothie ideas after we move in July. I'm waiting until then to buy a new blender so I don't have to pack it.

Babette, we weigh in the same day! Can you verify the numbers for me....is it Days OP/starting weight (pounds lost)/block number?

Eydie, ice cream is a personal daemon of mine. For a while I was on a Dairy Queen kick, getting a blizzard or Peanut Buster Parfait once or twice a week! I recently looked up a PBP on dotti's restaurant list, and it's 17 points!!!! Never again. Sure, I might satisfy a have-to-have-it-or-I'm-gonna-kill-someone-for-it craving, but it'll be a small hot fudge sundae with nuts, not the PBP. Hope you're having a better day today!

Have to go drink more water...I'm behind schedule today and at this rate I'll be up all night running to the bathroom.

Editing again!!! Posted a happy message earlier, but all plans of mice and men gang oft a'gley or something like that, so I'm back to Day One tomorrow. Perhaps I'll set a record! I don't mind, though, as ended with a respectable 2295 calories ... added an extra 14 ounces of orange juice (low acid) and later a shake made with skim milk powder, ice, water, sugar-free maple syrup (1/4 cup equals 35 calories). It's 90 degrees in my house and I just needed the extra potassium and liquid. I'm still doing well.

Dread not the scale, Wildfire! It's all a game. But I get kind of worried about it the day before, too. That's why I occasionally skip if I think I've gained some water weight that'll drop off later in the day. It's too discouraging. Most weeks, though, I get on religiously. Good luck and congratulations on Day 6!!! BTW, the beautifully photographed smoothie books of Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford are wonderful when you get your blender. I have Super Smoothies and I find it highly motivating.

Hope you feel better. That's a really healthy plan you have ... good luck on Day One!!!

Babette: Gaining an extra day of OP may be a goodthing in the end. It'll put you just that far ahead on your journey! You are doing wonderfully. Keep going, I'm following in your footsteps!!!

Katrina: No pun taken! Fruit frappes are really easy ... just like Italian ice only better. They are just like the all-fruit smoothies except with less liquid and not blended as much. I use frozen fruit because it's handier and actually more nutritious IMO (it doesn't lose nutrients sitting in the fridge).You need a really good blender and just keep. I also like to make soymilk or skim milk frappes with lots and lots of ice, vanilla and Splenda. Also an Orange Julius (sorry Julius, but I can make your recipe with no fat, no sugar and about 100 calories and it costs less, too) with skim milk, Splenda, vanilla, ice and a dash of the low acid, calcium enriched orange juice I drink. Sorry, just can't seem to get off the subject of cold food items. The joys of summer in Arizona.

Good-night, Blockettes! Are we great or what?



2/0/1

Good Morning Blockettes!

I am SO happy to report that I lost three (3!) pounds this week!!! Hey, who knew that if I followed the rules it would actually WORK! I was actually chanting "209! 209!209!" waiting for the number to come up, but it came up 208. YAY!

Crone, I don't think you are in the running for the record # of Day 1s -- I should have counted mine up, just so we knew what there was to beat! Sounds like you're doing well, anyway. Wish we could average out some of our weather -- it's been cold and rainy here most of the spring. Only a couple of days that people weren't wearing sweaters or jackets. Some Arizona heat would be wonderful! (yup, I know I would eventually wish for cool weather )

Wildfire, yup -- you've got the numbers right. It's funny how they weigh on our minds, isn't it. AFTER weighing in this morning, I thought "only 8 to go to get to my goal (under 200 by July 18)." And then I thought "well, I have to average slightly over 2 pounds a week. Maybe I won't make it." and feeling anxious over that. I have to keep telling myself that it doesn't matter if I don't make the exact number -- even CLOSE will be excellent. Elsewise, I'm afraid of getting into some weird mental state that ends up making me gain instead. YIKES!

Malia! Welcome back - great to have you on the block! Your plan looks good -- I hope you're going to count exercise points, though. That really helps to stay under count-wise. I actually had a couple of 40 point days last week -- it seems to be a lot easier to keep going if I include those in my plan.

Katrina, congrats on the loss -- can't wait to hear what the official report is! I was thinking of you last night as I laboured and sweated planting the flower beds -- it was a real workout! And I'm happy to say that the squats are getting easier!

Let's make this a fabulous day, Blockettes -- we've got the power!

xo
babette
8/208 (-7) /2

I really should be ironing clothes and heading out for work, but here I am.

I made a spanish rice recipe I got from the WW meeting last week for lunch, 3 points for 1 cup. I'll post it later this evening if anyone is interested? Baked a chicken breast this morning to have with it. I intend to drink the rivers dry today, so if anyone is in the Southern Ontario region, get your water now!

Crone, thanks for the book suggestions! I will be on the lookout for those.

Babette, congrats on the 3lb loss! Fabulous!!

Will post after I get home tonight. *fingers crossed...just one pound lost would keep me happy!*