Ladies -- hello! I'm sorry that I have been so quiet. I have been absolutely, ridiculously slammed at work ever since I got back. It was bad before, but it is only worse now -- I have about 12 priority A tasks to do!
But I have put it on a calendar and highlighted the things I'm going to work on today, and I am doing my best to stay calm and not freak out and try to do it all at once, like I usually do. On the bright side, I weighed in and I lost .8, even though I was on vacation last weekend. Weird, huh? I'm still so tired, even though my doctor had my thyroid function and my hemoglobin levels checked and they're both normal. My mom's theory is that I'm not eating enough for my activity level and/or enough protein. She may be right -- I ate more than usual this weekend, but not a lot, and I definitely ate more protein. I fully expected to gain at least a pound, but instead I lost. Maybe I do need more protein in my diet.
I'm incredibly exhausted, so I'm resting this week, no working out; I'm hoping that, by next Tuesday after my vacation, I'll feel human (not so bloody exhausted) again. Then I'm going to start going to meetings on Wednesday afternoon, on my lunch break. I don't think I want to do Saturday morning, I'll ditch it for social events and I won't want to get up early, etc, etc. I know myself, and I know when I will and will not get up to do things. I'm going to try and stick to my minimum points for each day, except that I'm going to add on points earned by exercise M-Th, and make sure that those "extra" points include higher protein/higher fiber items. I'm also going to change my breakfasts and my diet in general to include more protein. I hate feeling tired all the time, wanting to go back to sleep within an hour of getting up... I hope this helps.<sigh>
I had a lovely time with Dad in SD. Although I did eat more junk than usual (potato skins Friday night! Oi!), I brought All Bran bars (2 pts, high fiber) with me and ate those and some fruit I also brought along when I got the munchies at the airport. I also "pre-ate" a snack of fruit each time before going out, and I only ate half of my lunch when we were served large meals. I even managed to resist the Doritos my Dad had in his hotel room (Okay, most of the time!), which is really big for me. I can turn down chips in a store, but when it comes to freely offered junk food, already purchased and sitting there open...oi. But I didn't eat a lot of them, so I was proud of that.
I even asked if I could put away the chocolates my Aunt had put out for others to "snack on" after I asked if everyone was done with them, telling them that I knew, if those things sat in front of me, I would continue eating them (lovely Trader Joe's chocolates with raspberry filling. So good. So bad, if you know what I mean.) I was proud of that too.
Overall, I did better even than I thought, especially if I lost weight. :
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Well, ladies, I'm going out of town Friday at noon. I won't be back until Wednesday morning. I'll be grocery shopping Wednesday and Friday, and going to my first WW meeting in a long, long time Thursday so...I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll see me again at all next week. If I get a chance, I will post, but I can't make any promises. Know that my thoughts are with you, and that I am sending good energy your way! See you on "the other side" of next week!
Lastly, for responses to your individual posts...
Judy: Thank you, I had a great weekend with Dad. Congrats on eating healthy despite the temptations (especially at McDonald's, a personal nemesis of mine!) I think you have a good attitude -- let us know how your implementation of Dr. Joy Brown's technique goes. Congrats on your WL! That is crazy. I think flex is the easiest to do long term because you don't leave out foods, and it is easier to eat out, etc. with flex. What are hostas? You were right, I had SO MUCH to do when I got back, and then I was out of the office Tuesday on business too, which only made it worse.
I'm glad that you find out support so helpful, and I think you have a great attitude. Congrats on your 1/2 hour on the treadmill. Yes, take it easy and don't hurt yourself. And stretch if you don't already.
Princess: I meant, do you buy a one month pass online for $40? I called WW of AZ, and they are offering $40 to join or $60 for 5 weeks (and I think that includes registration. AZ is apparently cutting off its free registration earlier than everyone else -- I saw a magazine that said it extended through 5/27, but not us apparently. Hey, 1.6 WL is great! I am glad that you are walking again, that is great. I am sorry that I have been gone so long. I value your support too. I have just been so horribly busy ever since I got back on Monday, and then I was out of the office Tuesday on business all day, so the list of stuff to do just piled on higher. I have about 12 high priority tasks right now... <sigh> I am SO glad I'm going on vacation tomorrow.
for your weight loss! By the way, hostas are plants that in my climate come back every May, are mostly broad leaves that form a small "bush " for lack of a better word. They spread easily, as basically maintenance free, and grow well in the shade so they are very poplular here in NY. They are easily divided and can be transplanted so you end up with a bunch of nice looking plants for hardly any money. They die out in the frost and "disappear" over the winter to come back the following May. Also, I find I lose better when I eat lean protein when I'm hungry. Your Mom may just be right. Good luck with your WW mtgs. I find them very helpful==especially when things aren't going well for me, diet-wise.
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Good for him! And have a lovely anniversary. 
