I am so tired today... working 6 days is harder than I thought it would be. And I have to do it for at least a couple more weeks. Plus I stayed up late last night watching an Animal Planet special on prehistoric "monsters" with my son, then this morning up early to catch some time with my daughter.
As usual, the water was nonexistent yesterday because I was at home. That's SOP for me, not a good thing, but not unexpected. Today, back on track with that and the food is fine. Maybe this week I'll be back down under 200 again. That would be a relief.
Just a quick check in - I hope everyone is handling the Monday well!
Jolly, Raven, hello. Just finished some work here and have to get out soon. Work, work, work. I just put my head down and said, "I will get through this. . ." You can do it too, Raven! Jolly, you're making more progress than you may think yourself. You sound so much better than before. Keep it up. You're so much more consistent-sounding with the exercise. The eating will follow soon. Have faith!
Oh, and before I forget, Derry, yes, we use chopsticks here, but they're lighter and shorter than the Chinese ones, also are never made from plastic or anything other than wood, tend not to be glazed as many Chinese ones are. They're much easier to use than Chinese I think. Traditional Japanese could be many things, but this was thick noodles and they were REALLY thick this time, I've never seen them so thick, more like slabs of dough than noodles but so good. It was a sit-down (on the floor) place with koto music playing. See links. After serving various little bits and pieces, all artfully done, the gas burners are put on the table and then earthenware bowls filled with veggies and various tofu and noodles (for me) and the others' had some chicken (I think), shrimp and shellfish along with the veggies are served. That's boiled in front of you and then you eat from there, moving bits into little bowls in front of each person.
Here is a picture of a Japanese koto and some music samples. These samples sound a bit fast, usually the background music in restaurants is slower. It's a very relaxing sound. Hope you can hear them. Derry, you're probably away but I wanted to answer your question or forget. . . Hope you're having a good time.
Sounds like everyone had a pretty good weekend. I organized our closet and dressers this weekend. Ended up with two garbage bags full of old stuff that I have no idea why we were keeping. Also had four bags of my son's clothes for donation. Guess my buddy has hit a growing spurt again....and again...
I also cut out the squares for a polar fleece quilt, cut out the squares for my Easter placemats and finished up the little bit of grocery shopping. Apples for $0.78 a pound--got me five pounds!
Raven: I'm so sorry someone jacked your wallet. Glad things were returned, but sad the money was gone. I think $60 is a lot to anyone! Hopefully there won't be any charges or anything that comes from them taking your stuff. Sounds like it was all returned. Criminals....they keep me in a job.
Red and Derry: Two minor slip ups. Nothing that big, I don't think. I didn't even have time to snack, so I did well again this weekend.
Jolly: Gosh, fly-bys are becoming quite common, huh? You are so busy these days. How is puppy?
Well, I have a Pampered Chef party tomorrow night and I am also volunteering at my son's school tomorrow. Not much else is going on for the week or upcoming weekend. I need to purchase our tickets for the Easter Train, but other than that, nothing going on.
Good morning everyone. I'm back. Dad's surgery went ok and he was "resting comfortably" at home when I left yesterday. Cateract surgery is amazing and quick, by the way. There would be a slight amount of discomfort involved with an IV and some drops in the eyes, etc., but if you ever have to have it - you are in and out in less than two hours. Bright lights would bother you for a day or so and you have to be careful not to lift anything heavy for the next 10 days or so, but that's about it. I was impressed.
I'm feeling really defeated this morning, gang. I figured out some money things and have decided NOT to go to WW meetings, just can't afford them. Don't know what this is going to do to my weight loss efforts, but I am really going to need you guys!
DH's last paycheck was directly deposited today and was about $700.00 less than I anticipated. They pro-rated paying him for his vacation pay, which I didn't think they would do. So, I already have to dip into our savings to pay bills. How selfish would I be to take funds and spend them on WW meetings at this time?
He's doing ok and has some consulting work going on, but we are not in great shape and the less I spend now, the longer we can make it in the the end.... and who knows how long that will be?
So, I am determined to make this thing work on my own here.... but I'm scared. I've been one who truly needs the meetings for my motivation. I don't want to put the weight back on that I have worked so hard to take off.
Linda
Good morning all. Chachee, you sure are busy. I am working on my third scarf. I have taken up knitting. Derry, I am glad your dad's surgery went well. I am sorry you will haveto stop your meetings for now - I really hope things sort out soon.
I have only one good thing to report for today. I did lower body weights. Woo hoo. Not really a red letter day. It is crazy, because I know I don't need the calories, taht the food isn't going to help anything, and I don't need to spend thye money - but I can't seem to stop eating. All I want to do is eat. The only good thing is that I am getting to the gym. I just need to work out harder.
Anyway. Have a good day all. Good luck with everything.
Chachee - How do you do all that stuff??? I can barely make it to work and back, plus keep clean clothes and dishes around. Geez.
Jolly - You have the exercise going on.. I don't. I have the food and water pretty well down. Maybe we should just run into eachother at high speed and we'd get one person who worked out and ate right.
My great dane is off her feed. I'm worried. I'm hoping it's just that she picked up worms (ew) from Artemis and I'm going to be hitting her with the tapeworm meds this weekend. If that doesn't do it... time for a vet call. Oh yeah, I have the bucks for THAT.
WHY AM I NOT TREADMILLING???
I had a pity party for myself this morning, had a little cry then picked up and moved on. But I'm kind of getting worn down, I can tell. I need some positives to happen. Or maybe realistically, I need to change my perspective and see the less obvious positives already in my life.
I must report totally falling off the sugar wagon yesterday and I had a sugar binge more or less, with leanings toward the "more." I don't know. I did it on purpose like. I just stopped caring. Five weeks off all my favorite things and I think I was just sick of all the discipline. But I realized I didn't really feel happy about eating the sugar. I felt irritated and angry that I did this all along knowing it wasn't helping me, that I was being mean to myself, not good. This is important I think because I don't want to be mean to myself anymore and realizing that things like this ARE indeed that, the choices will come naturally to care for myself. So, perhaps I needed that. I am ashamed with myself for learning new ways of cooking good food, of not getting vegetables into me and am going to try to do that.
Derry, isn't there some way you could make some extra money or cut back somewhere in order to pay for your WW meetings? I think it's really important for you now and will help your esteem and sense of power, which you very much need in this difficult time. Sometimes the very things that look so superfluous are essential. Are you sure you're not making light of this part of your life? How much do these meetings cost anyhow? I have no idea.
Chachee, Rave, jolly, lucky, apple, a big hello. Hope you're all doing OK!
Just saw all these posts that I didn't know were there. I had thought no one had posted since derry. jolly, what is it that you eat? Are you still eating sugar. That will set me off on a binge. It must be my blood sugar levels or something but I am highly sensitive to it. Have you looked in to the low glycemic way of eating? That may be something that would work for you. It has been a lifesaver with me. I do not binge if I stay off the sugar.
Raven, pity parties are good things. Crying bouts, I think, are a part of life, like breathing. Luckily, I can keep them indoors, out of sight of others, yet still indulge. I felt the same as you yesterday, was on the phone with my brother for hours. Talking to him always makes me feel better although yesterday felt especially bad and this morning I just laid there in bed for an extra four hours, the first time I haven't forced myself out of bed at 4:30 a.m. in a long time. My one cat, her mission in life is to get me OUT of bed, finally won. She kept pawing and actually pushing at me with her paw and nose. She is an amazing little thing, all black, found her starving in a park, she hates to be held but will sit at my feet all the time and sleeps in the crook of my arm at night. Ok, little cat tangent there. . . I hope your dog is OK, maybe it's just a touch of a cold or so. Maybe he ate something bad. I didn't know you had a Great Dane. What's his name? In any case, as I was going to say, Raven, you're doing fine and THAT'S why it's rough, change is tough. Head down, don't think too much. Keep at it. My friend just ran a marathon and last night I dreamt I was in one. The problem was I hadn't trained at all, I was just like now, and still sick feeling and I was late for the marathon, had nothing with me, was thinking I had to carry my own food and water (like a hiking trip) but still I was at the starting line. Everyone had long left but I was going to start and just walk it I said to myself and had started and that's when I woke up. I would love to feel great about things and positive and all that but I don't right now, have tons of work, lots hanging over me, and though I am in great danger of allowing myself to feel totally overwhelmed I am just setting down and doing the stuff bit by bit, no panic, no panic. You're OK, Rave, no panic, OK?
Hey all. Raven, I think I am at were you are at. I really need some positives, or to SEE the positives. I am feeling worn out - between dog worries, jobs, all the staffing issues at my part time job . . . pity party over here too. I just want to sit and veg. I'm even skipping the gym this morning. I skipped the barn last night, but that turned out to be a good thing, as I was finally able to chat with my friend in Iraq for the first time in a couple of weeks. I needed that. But still. I am feeling tired, cranky, and guilty for all of the things I am doing "wrong." Sigh.
Red, It was one day. You realized how bad it felt, and learned something from it. NOw you can move on.
Red, I could feel for you with your sugar binge.... and I know what it's like. I was so close over the weekend to blowing my Lenten Challenge. I managed to stick with it, but I know hoard hard this is. Now that you did it, are you back to the challenge or giving up?
My WW meetings cost $11.00 a week. I might go next week, we'll see. DH might have some more concrete information on a consulting agreement by then. If he gets that approved, then we'll be in ok shape for a couple of month.
Honestly, Raven, I know what pity parties are like and I'd had more than my share of them. Sometimes, I just need to wallow in it, other times I get angry and give myself the "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" lecture.
Chach, don't know how you do it all. You are a tower of strength, I think. I need to try and keep pace with you for awhile and I'd probably lose my excess weight just burning off calories!
Jolly, hope things with the dog straighten out for you. You've had enough to deal with.
Linda
Honestly, after reading these posts, I think we're all doing damn fine. Not one of us is having an easy time of things right now, but we're still here, still caring about each other and about ourselves, and still putting one foot in front of the other. We are not perfect, we will never be perfect, but we are perfectly ourselves. And we are striving to make that even better. And we will do it. One little thing at a time. On top of everything else, I'm PMSing.
Red - I have a beautiful boston mantle merle dane, and her name is Callisto. She was born "dead" if you will. They tried to revive her with no success, so the vet put her in a plastic bag and tossed her in the bucket. Some minutes later, while filling out paperwork, the vet heard small sounds coming from the bucket... and viola - baby Bucket was breathing. She was three days old when I first saw her, and there isn't anything that could have stopped me from having her as my buddy. I love this dog SO much.... She was about the size of one of those ready to bake bread loaves you get at the store. I renamed her Callisto - long story there - and she's been an amazing addition to our family. She's my second dane.. my first was a rescue up in AK that I named Faust. He, also, took up a huge section of my heart. I just hope my girl is going to be ok. She's eating treats and stuff, and drinking water, so hopefully it's just a stomach bug going around. That is my suspicion, because now my little rat terrier has shown signs she's not feeling so good, too. And I know that about a week ago, my daughter and I both had the stomach yucks - so it's a distinct possibility she's dealing with the same thing. I loved the cat story.. I miss having cats. Richard is allergic to them, though, and I respect that. When we get our property (oh yes, I WILL do that some day) and have a barn, you can BET there will be cats living in it.
Lucky - *warm hug* back. I got your PM, I'm sorry I haven't written back. I have so little time right now for computers and communication.
Linda - I know eleven bucks a week is alot, believe me, I know. But I also know that if the WW meetings are as important to you as it seems that they are, that $11 is well spent. It might be that those meetings mean more to you than just weight loss... at least that's what I'm "hearing" in your typing. There are some things that we should try very hard to hang on to. Maybe your meetings are one of those things?
Jolly - I am SO glad you got to talk to your friend in Iraq. Having that constantly in the back of your mind would be hard. And you know what... I think that the "worn out" syndrome is probably why I'm not on the treadmill. *lol* It ocurred to me that I feel like I'm on the worlds biggest treadmill right now... why add another one? *sigh* I know the exercise would help me mentally, but mentally I run from it screaming like a girl. It's one more "have to" "need to" "should do" that I just don't want to face right now, I guess. I dunno. Making excuses.
On a good note (yes, a positive!!) I am finally back under 200. Oddly enough, that was a huge relief right there. OTOH, I'm scared I'm not eating enough again. Between losing my check card and the money in my wallet, the weird schedule I'm working, the running around at work... I have put eating food on the back burner. I did pick up some of the lean cuisines for my lunch, but haven't been eating my breakfast or either morning or afternoon snack, then when I get home, I'm eating just a regular dinner. I know my calories are too low. So this morning I ate a couple eggs and a piece of toast in an effort to balance that out a little bit. I really hope my check card gets here soon. Why don't they fed-ex those things? I mean... my bank is an internet bank. I can't go to a branch office, so ... how the **** am I supposed to get money (or deposit it either, for that matter) if they don't get that card to me? I didn't say anything when I first ordered the card because I was just so relieved that there were no bogus charges against my account at that point, and I was in a hurry, and semi-panic stricken. Now though... *sigh* Worst case scenario, I can deposit my paycheck (which will start being direct deposit soon, I hope) into my boyfriend's account and have him pull the cash for me. Too many things to work around. Rant rant rant...
Ok, I need to go get ready for work. I hope things are better today for everyone.
The hike was fun. It was great to see my son and his little class go "exploring Mt. McKinley" with their little toilet paper roll binoculars. My son fell on a slick part because I had two other little ones I was watching after also. It's okay, he's fine, just made him a little clingy with me. I stayed and had lunch with him--oh yum, popcorn chicken, baked beans and potato smiles. Can you just say my points for the day were blown on the lunch? He cried because he wanted to go home with me after lunch, but I had to explain I had to go back to school. He was fine after that.
The P Chef party was good. I had enough in sales to get two half price items, and those will the the completion of my pots and pans. I just can't afford them otherwise. That is really the only reason I have those parties--for discounted items.
Anyway, I made a really good recipe and thought I would share it with you:
Apple berry salsa with cinnamon chips
1 cup strawberries
1 kiwi
2 granny smith apples
1 orange
4 7inch tortillas
Peel and core the apples. Peel the kiwi. Remove stems from strawberries. Chop all ingredients together until it’s the consistency of salsa. Drizzle some juice from the orange over the mixture. Add two packets of Splenda and mix together.
Preheat oven to 400. Take four tortillas and rub with water on one side. What I do is wet a paper towel, and rub on the tortillas. Mix 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Dust the wet tortillas with mixture.
Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. (or until lightly toasted) Let chips cool then serve with fruit salsa.
This was amazing last night! Very good and very “summery”. Not too bad on the calories, either. I tried it with the low-carb tortillas and they were gross. Stay with corn or flour tortillas.
Raven: I am still not on my treadmill yet, either. I think I just have too much going on lately and I just can’t seem to get myself out of the bed in the morning. I plan on changing that quickly. I have made up for it with walks outside and also snow shoveling the piles, chunking up the ice, etc. (You know how it goes living through breakup.) Be careful with not eating enough. I remember last year when that happened and how it finally took its toll on you. Just try to take care of yourself.
Derry: I stopped going to my meetings. I gained a little back, but I was spending too much money on the meetings. Hard to put my household on a budget and still pay to go to the meetings. I know, I don’t have a gym membership, etc, and its money well spent, but I just couldn’t justify it. My friend who used to go to meetings and I now do the program daily with email and do our weigh ins on Friday mornings. One of us takes on a topic each week and writes about it. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s very helpful to me.
Jolly: Man, you have the most stress of any person I know. Your life is always crazy. Must be the job you do, huh? How are your eyes feeling after your surgery? I know it’s been awhile, so I wanted to see how you were feeling.
Red: Off the sugar wagon, huh? It sounds like a binge slip up, and those things happen. I know you are so supportive of others, but when you slip up, you sound so hard on yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for not only knowing what caused it, but also for stopping it. I guess if it was easy, then we would all be a size 1 and not have any cares in the world. Makes us better people knowing the struggle and then also appreciating how far we’ve come.
To answer the questions on “how I do it all”, I have no good answer. I am a very driven person, and when I know I need to do things, I just plan it out and do it. I am a list-maker, that is why when I journal my food and exercise, I see better results. I have lists of lists. I need to be better with myself and make the healthy lifestyle more of a priority, but that will come when it’s time.
I am a scheduler also. Everything during the week is on a very tight schedule. From the minute I get up in the morning, to the time for my son’s bath and bedtime story, it’s all on the clock. Sad, but he knows at 3 1/2 when its time for bath and story. That’s the anal/compulsive personality in me.
Okee dokee. I am back to work. Have a great day everyone and HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
I was supposed to be posting more often. Ha. I'm coming down with a cold which is kind of annoying. I feel OK most of the time, I use it as an excuse to be lazy and feel sorry for myself other times.
I had a good eating day yesterday and today is going well so far too. I have walked 3 days in a row! I think exercise is the key to weight loss for me.
I'm hoping to lose 2 pounds by easter but here I go setting time goals for myself again....
Red, I hope you are feeling better. You've been sounding really down. Cheer up!!! I wish I could be a little more inspirational.
On my walk today I took in alot of beauty. I tried to notice spring. There were some really beatiful yellow tulips blooming. (Mental note: plant tulips this fall) I love any yellow flowers, especially daffodils and sunflowers. So cheerful. There is a beautiful fruit tree in bloom too. I don't know what it is though.
That is how I chose Apple Blossom for my user name. I was looking out the window while pondering a name and I noticed the apple tree in bloom.
Derry, I'm glad your Dad is doing well. I'm also glad I didn't read your post until after, because my father-in-law had a bad experience with catact surgery.
Oh the baby is up to no good. He is so fast. Bye
And I have to do it for at least a couple more weeks. Plus I stayed up late last night watching an Animal Planet special on prehistoric "monsters" with my son, then this morning up early to catch some time with my daughter. 
I wish I could be a little more inspirational.
