Erica, I think you did a fantastic job on the birthday dinner. I'm sure family members appreciated it, and even if they didn't, you did the right thing.
Now, St. Patrick's day....
I'm not Irish, but I used to date an Irish guy years ago and this day was like Thanksgiving or something in terms of it's importance to their family. They played Irish music and danced out in their back yard, which I thought was kind of odd, but it was a family tradition. Of course, the traditional corned beef, cabbage, soda bread and beer (probably green?) were served. I don't know if there are special desserts associated with the meal, you should tell us so we can learn.
However, when I evaluate the traditional "boiled dinner" as it's called in the Boston area, I do think lots of it are pretty healthy. The corned beef is high in sodium but if you have an average serving, it should be ok if you eat the lean portions. The potato, cabbage, turnip, and carrots (maybe parsnips?) that are in boiled dinner are also quite good for you, and CORE. However, I guess loading it all with butter is not a good thing, which is what I have always done with that particular meal. Maybe just for one day, you can forgive yourself? If you portion control a bit and I think a Guinness is only 2 points, you are pretty good. I would imagine an average slice of Irish Soda Bread is probably 2 - 3 points.
Let us know what else you will ordinarily serve and maybe we can all try to help with ideas. Of course, if you do Irish dancing, you certainly will burn off a few points!
Erica, wow two posts in a row. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I am painfully honest with myself, I guess I have always felt that with WW I just had to be honest with myself, why else do I go if I can't admit my faults and work on this. Interesting that you would say that the WW scales could be off, I was actually (in anger) saying that to myself.
Have they posted the turn off your cell phones signs at your centers, by the way? They have at my center and it says that they interfere with the accuracy of the scales. I wonder if that is so or not? I doubt it, it's probably more the case that cell phones ring in the middle of almost every meeting, of any kid and anywhere I go to nowadays. I hate that interruption. I always put mine on vibrate or turn it off in meetings, but some people either forget or are not as considerate?
Oh, Erica, I journal when I am "in trouble" not all the time on CORE. Journaling "freshens" my efforts and writing everything down really gets me back in the swing. Especially where I didn't have a loss this week, I consider myself "in trouble" and also if you add our little competition to the equation - I do have a competitive streak in me and I can't compete against someone who is on FLEX if I am truly not doing CORE perfectly? I want to truly see who loses the most weight in 2 weeks time, but I do realize we are from all different walks of live and have different conditions, ages and body types so it's not a scientific thing, but just for fun. If I write everything down for a change, it truly reminds me to be a "good girl" and maybe I have not been as good as I could have been? This is actually true, I think, but if I am not writing things down, how can I know for sure?
I have tried just counting flex points, on CORE, and that isn't always the best either for me as I just plain lose track and forget. I am am writing down everything, I know for sure what I am doing.
I used 4 flex points yesterday. With 35 a week and if I use 4 per day, that gives me 28 and leaves me with an extra 7 points for eating out on Saturday night. If I am careful to track, I know what I can and can't indulge in. If I am careful to use only 2 or 3 points on a few days, I can have even a better situation going into the weekend. It's not uncommon for us to eat our more than once during a weekend as well. I always presume that I will have non-CORE foods at restaurants, though I can be awfully good at certain places.
Paige, Ah, I remember the day my son went on that school bus (and daughter) for the first time. I followed the bus to school and met him as he got off the bus (and her) for the first few days and escorted her to her classroom. Then, a few days later, I stopped going. I cried each time my kids went off on that bus without me, it was both scary and symbolic. AND, my son came off the bus and said his first swear words in front of me, the very first day! That surely was an eye opener, no more babies.
I swear the bigger kids have this "swearing in" ritual just to "get" the parents? Oh well, they learn sometime.
Paige, I have heard of chasteberry extract. I think you should also be taking B complex, calcium with vitamin D, Evening Primrose Oil (an essential oil!) as well as drinking raspberry herbal tea. You might want to try Ginseng and St. Johns Wort. I study herbal cures/remedies and have several books on it. In "my next life", I'd love to be an herbalist or a doctor, but I am far to old to go back to school and really don't have the time/energy for all that stuff. So, it's fun to say "in my next life", I guess.
I also read up on things like depression on line, one article I read on a web site was indicating that one of the leading causes of depression was B and D vitamin deficiencies. I take B complex and calcium (with D) twice a day as well as Ginseng and St. Johns Wort. All of those are natural substances that I feel truly help me cope with daily life. St. Johns is supposed to help lift the spirits and Ginseng gives a positive attitude and energy.
I was on antidepressants (prozac) around the time my parents were ill/dying and it did help me, but I just don't want to be on things like that permanently and also the cost was amazing, even with medical insurance. My TOM was stopping at the same time I was losing mom and dad and I was kind of a mess, hence the huge weight gain and my spirits were low. I am so much better now in comparison and have a handle on my weight, finally, though am not at goal.
Getting outdoors, eating right and exercise are also key. You may find you need something to help combat PMS, but you might want to try a natural approach first. I'm glad you are going to the kind of doctor who suggests natural or herbal things before writing a prescription for mind altering drugs. You might need those temporarily, though, and there is nothing wrong with taking them, but it's better to try a more natural approach first! I'm glad I had those drugs temporarily in my life and I think they helped me, but life is truly good and I hated "admitting defeat" by taking something and as soon as I felt mentally "able" I cut back and then stopped. I'd rather use herbs, eat well and take care of myself naturally. I often wondered what that stuff truly does to you and if anyone really knows for sure.
I just looked up a web site and you might want to read this:
http://depression.about.com/cs/altme...rnatives_2.htm
I also take Black Cohosh and Soy, which are supposed to help with hot flashes. All of these supplements have been discussed with my own OB/GYN and I get cheers and encouragement nowadays. I may have 2 or 3 hot flashes in a day nowadays, but it's darn better than 30 or 40 and waking up covered with sweat. I feel safer and more positive. After reading a great deal, PMS and Menopausal symptoms are really awfully similar and when PMS starts getting really bad, it's at a time when your hormone levels fluctuate a great deal, leading up to that lovely "change of life" time, but you have a very long way to go!
Ann, you are so sweet to say that I inspire you! I think the rest of you inspire me - guess that is why we found each other and cling to this message board. We can be honest with each other.
If I had eaten a candy bar yesterday (I was close!) and confessed, you all would have totally understood.
I feel SO much better today than yesterday, it could also be that I am happier as my husband is coming home tonight. That is always good for me, he's a humorous guy and keeps me smiling.
Well, also, today is my Thursday quilt group and I love the ladies. We spend one morning a week (it's gotta be therapy!) sitting around, chatting and drinking coffee. We sew/quit/knit and share our lives. It's a wonderful thing to have in my life and I am thankful.