Hey all. Made it to the gym last night and today. NOw, I just need to tape my mouth shut, so I can't put crap in it. My control over my food choices is non existent. Here's to healthy choices.

Have a good day all.

Heh jolly to you for a double workout! Way to go!! Now, would you prefer duct tape or electrical?

HI guys!
Red, I so agree with what you wrote about embracing the sad times and learning to cope with them and all that.... so much to read on this December morning when it's in the teens here in NH temperaturewise. i really appreciate what you, and others have had to say.
I feel the need to "air out" though, emotionally as well as in my house so will throw open a few windows in here later on for a "change of air" which will be cold, but invigorating!
I really want to work with my son and get him looking at the bad times as temporary and recognizing that the sad occasions and periods in our lives ARE truly part of the peaks and valleys in life. There are going to be great times to equal out the low points, there just always are. I really think he needs to pay attention to his diet, his exercise, being outdoors once in awhile (so hard for teens who leave for school in darkness, come home and do homework indoors, etc.). But, a concerted effort needs to be made. I will check out those books. Can't wait until the ones I ordered arrive as well.
This is just like many of us, isn't it? We have had years to accumulate our behaviours and have learned to self medicate with food. Red, you hit the nail on the head talking about how your job gets you down and you come home and to be "good to yourself" you eat the things you know aren't good for you, like another person would turn to liquor. I know exactly what you mean.
I guess a way to pamper one self emotionally would be to make a wonderful healthy meal, one that appeals to the eye as well as the pallet? If one were even dining alone, one could set the table with nice dishes, a candle, even put water in a nice wineglass and put on some classical music? This how refreshing this would be and how satifying it would be emotionally?
I used to live down the street from a ww leader who used to take ww frozen dinners and microwave them for her meals. She would then take them OUT of those plastic ugly containers they come in and put them on her fine china, add lettecue and tomato on the side and set a very nice table for herself. She said that she DESERVED decent table settings, even if she were trying to lose weight. I liked her attitude!
Busy times for me.... I have my family coming in two days (Sat.) to celebrate Christmas a week early. WE are travelling to my in laws on Christmas day and we will have a family celebration here then. I'm cooking and have tons of cleaning to do!
Linda

Good morning all. I hear you on the food thing. How often we reward ourselves or find solace with food. Gets back to the saying we should eat to live, not live to eat. Too often I live to eat, thinking I "deserve" certain foods, instead of focusing on healthy fuels for my body.

I really am feeling so much better emotionally, now that I am getting back to the gym. That makes such a difference in my ability to handle life's little ups and downs. I am starting slowly to make better food choices. There are just times when I can't seem to stop and make the choice - just eat without thought. Sigh.

I want duct tape, Red. It's wider and stronger.

Have a great day all.

Hey chickies

Well .. I made the mistake of getting on the scale today. Ok, I'm on my period, so it was worse than it might have been otherwise but .. whooboy. Ok, yeah, this year has to be the year of the duct tape for me too, Jolly!

I guess I have to be the lone voice of insanity. I will never, ever see food as just fuel. I know myself better than that. It would be hopeless for me to even bother trying. Food is a wonderful thing to me. But what I want to learn is that it isn't EVERY wonderful thing. Food CAN be a reward, it CAN be an indulgence, it CAN be special. But it doesn't have to be the ONLY thing. I fail miserably at the trying to convince myself that a "healthy meal" is a great reward. It isn't a reward, it's a healthy meal. Yay. I'm taking care of myself. I should just do that as a matter of course. But there are other things that are just as enjoyable as food - the problem is they aren't as convenient.

Again, this is just me. There are those for whom a lovely set meal with candles is a wonderful thing. To me, unless someone else is cooking it, lighting the candles, and cleaning up afterwards.... I'm real happy eating my meal from anything at all after I push the kids' schoolbooks out of the way on the table.

I'm noodling around about getting a different vehicle. I say different instead of new because new implies 2005, and I'm looking at a used 4Runner. I'm not sure they'll finance me with my credit as far in the toilet as it is, with the lack of down payment other than their incentives and my little old escort as a trade-in, and my inability to make huge monthly payments. I figured talking to them wouldn't hurt, though. The one I saw online that really made me drooly is a '99 4Runner LTD. WITH a towing package! *wink wink nudge nudge* Ok, is there anyone in this group who DIDN'T get that I was implying I could then pick up a horse trailer with that wink and nudge? HM?

Anyway.. can't get excited yet, because I know the likelihood of them actually financing me is next to ZERO but... I can hope.

So anyway... I'm setting the first in a series of goals on my ticker. I want to get back into the 5 pounds a month thing. Twenty pounds till I'm back where I was when I fell down. Then another 20 pounds to go and I can have the tubal ligation done. Another 20 pounds will put me at goal. I'll try really hard not to think about the fact that now I'm 60 pounds away from goal when just a few months ago I was only 40 pounds away.

The new year is coming up fast. I'm getting to the point where I'm actually excited about the new opportunities.

Hey Raven, if it helps you decide or if I may offer an endorsement - I'm on my 7th Toyota 4-Runner. Yup SEVEN. We should be on a Toyota commercial. No, we aren't rich - we leased all but 2 of them. We got the first one that was delivered to the midwest tri state area back in 1985 and except for one awful stint with a Ford T-Bird, we've had them ever since. Extremely low maintenance vehicles - gas and oil and wash it once in a while

Friend of ours who has a huge boat and had Ford SUVs got a 4-Runner last year. Said it tows much better than the Explorer. Good luck, I hope you get it.

We are skipping Christmas this year which is good and bad. I miss the decorations, sure don't need the rich food. If I could have one wish it's to fast forward 6 months from now - I hate this turmoil. The only good thing is that time flies so fast, it WILL be June before you know it.

Sounds like everyone's on the righteous path, even if it means hanging on by the fingernails. I actually look forward to move number 1, even if it's temporary in an apartment. High time to get back on the good eats path and regular exercise.

My back is finally easing up a bit, tho I think it's most dangerous now. You start to feel better but one little slip and I could be on the floor again. So I'm trying to be good.

Linda, good luck with your son. Like you, I believe that food/nutrients play a BIG part in overall well being. I hope you guys can get through this together. It's got to be so hard being a parent in today's world.

Back to work for me, catch y'all later...

Just a quickie here. Gotta get working on a story before I leave for the dreaded office. Work before work, work after work. Yuck!

Derry -- sounds great what you're saying. I'm with Raven kind of when it comes to making more work for myself with a fancy table setting, although this is partly due to the fact that I usually eat off the floor (sounds horrible, Japanese room) but I am sitting down to a little collapsible table these days and allowing myself the time out to eat instead of trying to eat at the computer or while doing something else, other than watching TV. Then again, if I had more time and more room I would do the whole table setting thing. It might not be tablecloth and silverware, it may be neat pottery dishes and wooden utensils but it'd be special for me. Yes, must start doing things I like.

Raven -- Don't get down about the weight. It's just weight, mere fat stored by your body to help you out in the case of a food emergency. We wax and wane like the moon. Big deal. Let's just put a cap on our waxing phases!

Oh jolly, you made me laugh!! You want duct tape! How great to read messages that make you laugh at 6 a.m. I'm so glad you're feeling better. Yes, let's all think about what constitutes "rewarding" ourselves, change the definition that is so easily thrown around these days, "you deserve a drink/a cookie/a scoop of ice cream" Oh, give me a friggin' break!!! Right!?!? Let's say, "I deserve healthful food/clothes that make me feel fabulous/people that make me feel the same."

I mean sure we can live to eat but it should be things that celebrate and worship ourselves, our potential, our power -- true gold not fool's gold.

happy -- glad to hear your back is better. too bad you'll have to skip Christmas. If it's any solace, remember that I have no Christmas here, have "skipped" it for over 25 years now. It's a workday here, any attempts to make it feel like it did when I was a kid make it seem pathetic in comparison so I do nothing. It's not really important anyhow. We can have the Christmas spirit any time of year. Should actually. How strange to reserve it for one day out of the year. But I do miss the celebrations.

***********

Well, gotta go. First day back at the office since returning from Hong Kong. I'm dreading it. Sent email to my "assistant" at work asking how things were. Got no reply. Have sent emails to boss at work, gotten no replies, called yesterday, he was "in a meeting," I was told he'd call me, he never did. Am now scared and anxious that I am in for a shock. I don't need anymore shocks. I want to hide under the blankets. I DON'T need this. I hate this place. They are totally screwed up and screwing me up with them. Oh, how I want out. How I want to deal with sane people who know how to function!

In any case, up to today I've been great with eating and exercising. Back on track. I must remain centered in myself and not allow anyone to topple me today as well. If I meet with a shock I will calmly assess the situation and concentrate on my options and think of the options I can come up with as well. Must use my power to help me! How's that for positive thinking!

Red, I was amazed that Christmas is a workday where you are, but then again, in many places it is in our world. I hope you find your own way to deal with Christmas. Hope the work situation is better in the new year, you deserve it!
I do think taking time out to eat is important. If you eat standing up, in front of the tv, while at the computer, etc, it doesn't feel like a meal and you end up still feeling unsatisfied, emotionally - you won't actually feel as if you had a meal. So, even if one is not inclined to sit down with a great table setting (and I don't do that every day, believe me, but try at other times) it is important to set aside a few moments and relax.
Raven, hope you get the Toyota! I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna and it's a true "dream machine" in terms of handling, lack of "issues", comfort and quiet. It's what I call a "frumpy housewife car" as it's a silver minivan and I consider them to look like a "box on wheels" with no style, but it's what I need. I have the towing package and can tow up to 5000 pounds with it as well and it really handles well with our 17' boat being towed.
Prior to this vehicle, though, I have had 4 Mitsubishi Monteros, which are in incredibly nice SUVs, however, they are too tall to fit in my garage. When we moved here, the Montero was 4" too tall to make in in the garage, it was 4 degrees out and snowing. I said, that's it.... time for a new car, so off we went to car dealers in a snowstorm. I had three criterias.... first it had to fit in the garage, second it had to tow at least 3500 pounds and thirdly, have enough room for kids, cats, luggage and band equipment like drums, guitars and amps. So, the Sieanna became mine and I have no regrets. As a minivan, it's amazing as all the seats fold flat in the back, you don't have to remove them and store them, it's like a pick up truck bed - yet protected. We have carried 8' boards after going to the lumber yard in it and they just laid between the seats. It's sliding doors are automatic and remote as well. It's the only vehicle I've ever owned that is dead silent on a long trip, particularly in the rain, those windshield wipers are a true marvel - even on the fastest speed you just don't hear them! Amazing! At any rate, sorry to go on, but I love my vehicle!
By the way, put me on the list to send that duct tape to! I had way over my food allowance yesteray and used up 7 of my flexpoints on a "normal" non-holiday day.... not a good thing. I got on the scale this morning and it would appear to be up by about two pounds from my weigh in day on Tuesday, and I have a holiday company celebration here tomorrow. What was I thinking?
Happy, glad to read that your back is feeling a bit better. Do take it easy and if you have a velcro type of back brace, it might be a good time to put in on as I know you are trying so hard to move....
Linda

All I have time for is a quick post before I head off to organzie the staff holiday party. I will try to post more tonight.

I just have to say real quick, though, that I love what you said about true gold vs. fool's gold, Red. That is so true, it's scary. We think we are "rewarding" ourselves with food, but what kind of reward is that??? I agree, that food can be special, holiday traditions, dates (not that I know much about those lately), family times. Those are important. But "rewards." Maybe the next time a pet is lost, we can offer a pint of Ben and Jerry's for information?? Not really a reward, is it? True gold, hmmm? I must figure out what the true gold is for me.

Have a great day all.

Hi all! No time to write now. Just wanted to jump in and wish you all a good weekend. I'll write later. Gotta get ready for work now. Was excellent yesterday with the food. Sans duct tape! But I'll fly some out to anyone who needs it. With that and bat we should be fortified enough.

jolly, glad you liked the fool's gold. Yeah, I like that myself too. Maybe, gee golly whiz, hit on something semi intelligent here. But really, I think we really got to rethink this whole "reward" bs that everyone knocks around like some cheap radio jingle. Oh puhleeeeez!! And you really made me laugh to think of someone putting up a carton of Ben and Jerry's as reward but yes, that's what we're doing most of the time, isn't it?! You're funny, jolly!

Yeah. Where did that all come from anyway? My parents did it. Hey, you aced your test - let's make your favorite dinner. Had a bad day - here's a cookie. I know that food means caring for someone which means love, but we have taken it to such an extreme! So if I ever had a child, what would I teach her??? Probably the same damn thing. Sad.

I didn't make it to the gyn last night. I need to go today. I can not let this slide. I deserve better!!! Chachee, I still have not found where Bat has ended up. I think I will have to get his sister, Boot!

I hope things are going well for everyone - with wieght loss efforts, holiday preparations, car shopping, moving, jobs, etc. Have a great weekend.

Oh yeah, Raven, I did get that the nudge and wink meant you wanted to be able to tow a trailer.

Heh, where is everyone?! Had to go to the next page to find the thread. Well, I guess it's inevitable with the holidays. . . I'm doing well sticking to eating right, caffeine only in the morning. I am trying not to overthink the problems at work, trying to not get stuck rehashing them over and over and over again. On boy!

Raven, Derry, Jolly, anyone else lurking around, come out and play!

Hey, I'm here. Just busy weekend. Went to see my grandparents yesterday, and had Sunday School Xmas program today.

It is soooo cold up here. I went to ride today, and I swear my horse had an icicle up his butt.

I have a few things I SHOULD do tonight, but I keep having to remind myself that a body in motion stays in motion. Because a good book and a blanket really sound a lot better.

Til tomorrow.

Hi jolly, good to see someone's around! So, did you ride? I guess so, huh?

There's a guy at work leaving I think tomorrow for Wisconsin, family reunion. I'll tell him it's nice and chill!

Keep warm, but remember, you warm up doing exercise too!!

Well in these here parts it's 4 degrees outside. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

I HAD to go out. No choice. Christmas shopping is DONE. Cards are DONE. Presents will be wrapped tomorrow but no tree to put them under this year. Serious packing and sorting starts tomorrow and runs through the week.

Dear Lord give me the strength to stay away from the butter cookies and the chocolate cheesecake cupcakes. Guess I'll just have to bake them, put them in the gift tins in the garage and get them out quick. You guys did it, so can I.

Stay warm or cool whatever you are dealing with at the moment. And take a few minutes out to breathe deep and enjoy the season upon us...