Good morning all. It's Wednesday morning here and I made it through yesterday with flying colors I'd say.
Life is fraught with uncertainty and I eat out of anxiety but I'm trying to realize that this is only making it much worse, because then I feel bad about myself. So I'm going to really try to just calm down (outside I look like nothing phases me inside I'm all 'aflutter!) and prepare and eat good food. If I have no time, I can always eat nuts or a piece of fruit. This sugar and caffeine is just the pits.
I have so many cookbooks and there are so many excellent recipe sites on the Net that there really is no excuse for not having a repetoire of guick, healthful and easy things to whip up and eat. Sure, it's hard and all that but heh, what's the alternative, giving in to the offerings outside in the restaurants and convenience stores AND paying money for them on top of that.
So, please, everyone, wish me luck on Day No. 2 of taking care of myself and putting myself first again.
************
lilttle grasshopper -- Ok, after the stocking explanation I now see what a sweet thing it is. Hope it continues. I mean, that's what boyfriends are for, aren't they?! That's great that he's athletic (even if only at heart at times) and wants to get back in shape. I do think I know what you mean about "too fit." I had a boyfriend once who was in the military here, paratrooper, very fit, nuts about cycling. His great bod is what attracted me to him in the first place but lo! his attitude didn't stop at himself and he was constantly criticizing me that I was too easy on myself, weak, fat, etc. etc. blah blah blah. I got rid of him toute suite!! It sounds like your guy has a better balance. There's also the kind of people who want and encourage others to be UNLIKE them so they can feel superior.
Anybody who rescues animals gets mega gold stars next to her name in my book!
Thank you, thank you!! I don't think I know what an Australian shepard looks like. I'll try to find it on the Net. Out at the stable where I ride there are four dogs and on the way there I stop off and give food to two poor dogs who are chained on constantly. They are starving and no one cares for them and I try to feed them but sometimes I wonder if I'm not just prolonging their misery. I mean, they get a little food and usually seem to have water and have little houses but that's it. The people just totally neglect them. This is very, very common in Japan and it makes me sick. Anyone, I'll get off that topic. . . Yes, well the dogs at the club are a lab, a French bull, a mixed dog that was born to one of the dogs chained on and I found a home for her and there's also a little Jack Russell. So, it's like I have all the horses in the stable, about 25, 6 dogs and my four cats. I absolutely adore animals. I used to walk dogs at the animal shelter when I was a teen and always walked the neighbor's dog when I was a kid, in addition to my own dog and we had 8 or 9 cats at one time, mostly thanks to me bringing them home. I guess some things just stay with us all through our lives, don't they? Ok, enough of the animal reminiscing. . .
Yes, vending machine lifestyles. Isn't it great that you now recognize the horrors of the way things were? That just shows how far you've come and that means the battle is more than half won, I'd say.
I've been out of the States for years now and Americans are getting a bad rap because of the obesity that is so prevalent there. I was just watching a program on it while I was on the plane flying back from Hong Kong. It's true, the sizes one sees in the U.S. now are unique, let's say. But I think, Americans are on top of things because they are realizing how they need to change and are changing, becoming educated and aware, like all the people here on this forum. And that means everything because once you've been there and get out you really, really understand it. People who think they are better but have never experienced something are really the vulnerable ones. The program too talked about how Brits were now in grave danger of going the same way as Americans. And I see it hear in Japan. People are eating garbage (fast food and chips and stuff). A lot have not put on weight because they starve themselves otherwise but their skin is bad, their hair dull and I fear they are in for major problems not too far down the road. So, anyhow, more power to you!!
crime girl -- Ok, now the name makes sense!! I was wondering about it. Criminology, that sounds so cool. It's something I would be interested in doing. My great aunt was a detective on the New York police force, I think the first and I think I have it in the blood. Took criminal psychology back in school and found it very interesting. Unfortunately (?) my path went the way of foreign languages and my Wanderlust got the better of me and I went off to Germany, India and now Japan. Anyhow, I wish you the best in your studies and hope you get that job in forensics. Would that make you like Scully on the X-Files?
Yeah, motivated I think I am. I don't know why. But maybe I've just had enough with the farting around I've been doing but just didn't stop until I started getting the short end of things for a while. My pride usually gets me back on track. Let's hope I can keep it up.
Yes, I like the questions you give us, even if I have a hard time answering them. They're great to get us thinking about what we're about, what we really want, value and respect and not. Role model? Hmmm. Difficult. I can't say I have one. I think I have had several throughout my life, all the time in fact, because I'm easily influenced by people. Yeah, really, I think there are too many to say. BUT, now that I think about it, the people in my life recently who have influenced me in a GOOD way would have to be a trainer at the gym, bodybuilder, 13 times Japan champion. His logical, cut-the-bullsh*t, cut-the-excuses approach to things can be very annoying but I always go away saying, "yeah, he's right" and I think I have tried to assimilate that thinking into my own. The other person now is my riding teacher. I probably only see her influence directly where it concerns riding but riding to me is a metaphor for life (I do dressage) and the things I learn there are things I use all the time in other areas of my life, so I'd have to say she is a role model.
stormy -- Allright!! another animal person. AND, another rescuer!!
More gold stars!!!
Cats in the Christmas tree. Oh yes, they love them. All those neat noises and shaking around, the prospect of birds hiding out in the dark places amidst the needles, maybe a nest or two. Cats are nuts and I love them!
Good for you, getting a workout in. You did go, right?
Workout cancels out party. Great equation. It's that kind of thinking I think that helps us get in shape or at least stop any slides into oblivion. There's a woman at the gym, former Ms. Japan bodybuilder. She's retired from competition now and has dropped most of the muscle but she's still like fatless. She'll be pedaling away hard on the bike and I'll talk to her. She says she does it so she can enjoy the beer that night. That ex-bf I spoke of earlier was like that. He's be figuring out what he had to do the next day to make up for an excess food he'd eaten the previous day. OK, ok, things can get out of hand, but basically, I think that's what we gotta be doing too. ugh. . . but ok, I'll do it. . . . or try. . .
michiemish -- hope you enjoy your weekend and yes, I certainly wish your mother the best. How is your weight loss going? I don't have a handle on what you're doing. Are you following a plan, just trying to eat better. That duffle bag you speak of, is that for getting in a workout?..?..?
In any case, good luck to you.
********************
Ok, people, sorry for writing so much. It's caffeine-fuled, my morning shot. Hope I didn't bore you all too much. If it gets too tedious just hit the scroll button. . . Ok, bye for now and good luck with your day.
Don't worry about a few cookies- I have been so proud of you staying on course as well as you have when you are under so much stress. You should be so proud of yourself! 
Shop til you drop and maybe park way back in the lots and walk that way. Have fun!! 
I make a perfect circle... 
I know it is just a crazy time of year, isn't it?
I hate to say it but it is such a sacrifice for me because I have always owned at least one cat. 
Anyway- I love your reminder that it took us awhile to get like this so it will take awhile for us to lose it. So true- it is easy to want it to happen right now without thinking about all the time we got to indulge.