11/29/07

Merry Christmas!

Here are some pix of my latest crafty projects.

This is a wreath I made using pink (!!) poinsettias and an assortment of vintage clip and screw back earrings. It hang in my cube at work.

This is this year's version of the Glama tree, the ornaments of which were gifted to me by my friend Shauna.

11/19/07

We finished up Scale Down for this session on Thursday. We did DDR after the class session, which was fun as always, and a good work-out. My eating is still up and down, but I do feel I have learned a lot in the class. Nothing that will change me overnight, but I am trying to implement small changes to add up over time. The biggest one, and the one I am really focusing on this week, is getting my devotional time in. Everything, including my eating, goes better when I do this. I am better equipped to deal with whatever ever life brings.

I bought cottage cheese and chip dip again this week-end. I REALLY wanted to eat it all in one setting. But instead, I portioned it out into 3 servings. I am enjoying it just as much; maybe even more, since I did what I said I would do! I did eat too many potato chips at one time. Next time, instead of eating them out of the bag, I will portion them out, too.

Today at lunch, I wanted something sweet after I had my soup. We have full sized candy bars in the drawer up front, and I thought about getting one. However, I wasn't feeling that hungry. I got 1 small piece of Dove dark chocolate, and ate it in about 6 bites or so, and just let it melt in my mouth. Wonderful, and very satisfying.

The next thing I need to work on is getting my exercise in regularly. I know I should do something tonight, but don't know if I will have the time. I need to start making the time.

11/10/07

(this first section is from 11/9)

I'm going to bunco tonight. Dice game played by a bunch of women. An excuse to get together and gab and eat. And I want to eat. A lot. Everyone brings nummy snacks. And usually, I eat a ton. But tonight, despite my desires, I'm going to make a plan to limit my eating. The hostess wants to limit hers, too. We are each only going to have one plate of snacks. I'm going to eat a snack right after work, so I won't be starving at bunco. At bunco, I'm only going to get the things I really love. I am going to eat them slowly, not gobble them down. Small bites. I may stop and get some decaf coffee on the way, and some flavored syrup. And I'll take skim milk to put in it. If not, I'll take a big water bottle, so I can fill up on that. This is not what I want to do. I want to stuff myself. But I have to start making some better choices. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I am going to climb 4 flights of stairs at lunch, and do 30 wall push-ups and some calf raises on the stairs. I already did 10 push-ups back at the endo desk. It was lower, and harder to do the push-ups.

(flash forward to today)

Well, I met my goal half-way. I did the work-out I intended to do. I ate before bunco, and had 1 plate of snacks at the beginning that I ate slowly and thoroughly enjoyed. I drank 2 bottles of water. But, at the end of the night, I ate too much taco dip with crackers. Still, an improvement from when I normally eat all night.

Today has pretty much been a cheat day. Oh well. Back on track, not tomorrow, but starting right now.

11/7/07

Eating was okay today. I didn't go do DDR. I having some lower intestinal issues, and jumping around is the last thing I feel like doing.

I was kinda sore from my last 2 workouts today, which I take as a good sign. 1 dose of ibuprofen took care of it, though.

11/6/07

What, a post 2 days in a row!

I over-ate at lunch today, but the rest of the day's eating was good.

Before I ate lunch, I did 4 flights of stairs, stopping after 2 to do a set of 15 calf raises on each leg on the steps. At the end of the 4 flights, I did 30 wall push-ups, in sets of 10, some stretching, and 1 song's worth of cardio stuff.

I don't want to get too cocky, but I think I'm getting in a groove. I'm actually motivated to exercise, and doing well at eating better. I started doing my devotionals again, too. Coincidence?

11/5/07

348.1

I went ahead and weighted this morning. Probably won't weigh again for a month or so. I did not do any weights during the football game yesterday. However, I took my resistance band to work today. At lunch I did 2 sets of 15 each of biceps curls, chest press, triceps extension and overhead press. I also did 2 sets 15 each of squats and calf raises w/no band. Lunch is really the best time for me to get in exercise, so I'm going to try to start doing 3 days a week of something at lunch. Tomorrow will be something cardio. I'm going to Steph's again on Wednesday night to DDR.

Eating was better this week-end. I tried an experiment, and bought a 24 oz cottage cheese, 16 oz french onion dip, and chips to see if I could exercise some portion control and self control. Normally, that is a 1 serving deal. I did make it last for 2 servings, and the dip 3. Next time I buy it, I'll go for 3 servings. We made some deer stew this week-end. Lots of veggies, and the deer is very lean. And I actually ate an apple yesterday. These steps sound small, but they are a lot for me. And small steps, done consistently over time, will make big changes.

*************************************
It's now after dinner. We went to Olive Garden. We limited ourselves to 3 bread sticks each, which is great improvement for me. I had the stuffed chicken prosciutto. It was nummy. Then, for dessert, we stopped at a new coffee bar, Juiced Cafe, and I got a decaf w/sugar-free hazelnut and skim milk. I am full, but not over-stuffed. We spent about an hour on dinner, and had a relaxed, wonderful date.

11/3/07

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I haven't weighed myself; one of the principles in Scale Down is not to be tied down to the scales. Go by how your clothes fit and what your measurements are. Also, I know there's not been much progress, so that's why I haven't weighed, either. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the encouragement of the scale. However, I can live without the DIScouragement of the scale, so we'll see. Basically I'm not weighing, but not necessarily for the right reasons.

My eating has been better this week than last. I'm really working on smaller portions, more fiber, and eating slowly and savoring my food. Evenings are still my hardest times.

I did DDR with my friend Steph Wednesday night, and did stretching and 100 crunches while watching tv last night. I think I'll do some weights while watching football tomorrow. GO COLTS!!!!!

10/6/07

343

Consistently down the last 2 weeks. I am pleased. Some the the stuff in Scale Down must be sticking. It was a little overwhelming at first, because I want to do everything right, all at once. But I can't. And Danna emphasises doing a few things well and consistently to make lasting changes. Once you get those down, add something else.

Sean and I did Race for the Cure this morning. We did the 1 mile fun walk. It was HOT! But it is beautiful on the campus of St.Mary's. Lots of us from scale down did the walk. The leader of our group encouraged us to use this as a start to adding exercise to our routines. She is going to walk 2 more times before we meet next Thursday. I committed to exercising 2 more times as well. Might be walking or DDR, might be weights, or some combo.

9/29/07

The following was written 9/26:

344.7

Down a little bit. We have started a Bible Study group to study a book called Scale Down by Danna Demetre. She has no prescribed eating plan, but emphasises small changes over time that add up and make a change in lifestyle. The cover says "overcome bad habits, energize your lifestyle, renew your spirit, burn fat efficiently and lose weight for life!" Basically, replace your bad habits with good, change the way you think, and burn more calories that you take in. This week, we are working on 3 ways we can decrease the amount we eat, and 3 ways we can increase our activity. I've done better on the activity than the eating. One of my goals is no second helpings, but that is so hard for me. I did manage to achieve it yesterday. My other 2 eating goals are sugar free mints and gum, and more fruits and veggies. I've done better with my physical goals. I have climbed at least 1 flight of stairs each day, I am doing calf raises at the credit card machine, and parking farther away. Our group meets again on Thursday night.

9/29

Intentionally, willfully overate last night. But, it was just one meal, and I have not used it as an excuse to overeat today. As a matter of fact, I made a couple of really good choices today in not eating large quantities.

I am finding myself being a little resistant to change. Here's what I wrote in an e-mail to the other Scale Down Chix:

I seem to be finding that I am a little resistant to making changes. I know what is right to do, but am being a bit of a rebellious brat in doing it. But, I think it is probably part of making the changes in mind-set and life-style. I will take a while, but I am confident that God will do it if I let him. He who began a good work in me (us!) will be faithful to complete it.

9/20/07

(this was all typed 9/19)

345.5

UGH! Hopefully it is because I will start my period this week, but I suspect not. I have been feeling more in control of my eating the last few days, except for supper last night. We ate very late, and I was really hungry, so I ate too much. I had a second, huge serving of lasagna. Other than that, I met my goals for yesterday, although I changed a couple of them. I ate 2 servings of fruit, drank 80 oz of water, and worked out. But my knee was sore for some reason, so instead of walking or DDR, I did weights. 3 sets of 15 each of bicep curls, triceps extensions, shoulder press and butterflies. 10 lbs for the bicep and triceps, and 5 for the shoulders and butterflies.

Goals for today: 80 oz of water, NO SECOND HELPINGS, 2 servings of fruit, 4 flights of stairs.

********************************

9/20

Well, I got in the water, the stairs, and 1 serving of fruit. Had seconds, although split over the course of 3 hours or so, and WAY too much ice cream. Evenings remain my hardest time of the day to not over eat.

See that fish up there going backwards? That's me! :(

Goals for today: 80 oz water, 2 servings fruit, NO SECONDS!!!!!

9/17/07

Goals for today: 80 oz water, no second helpings, 4 flights of stairs, a banana and some applesauce. All met except the water, and that will be met before I go to bed.

My friend Kim did the stairs with me. I had to stop twice, but that is just fine. The sad part is that I was a little sore this morning from my short walk yesterday!

Goals for tomorrow: 80 oz water, no second helpings, a banana, applesauce, 20 minute walk or 20 minutes of DDR.

9/16/07

I finally watched the first ep of Biggest Loser that I had dvr'ed last night. And inspired by it, I made some goals for today. I have: walked for 20 minutes, eaten 2 servings of fruit, and had no secondhelpings. I am 60 oz into my 80 oz of water, and will have Sean help me do my measurements later tonight. That will get everything on my list accomplished. I'll make a new list for tomorrow. Two things that will remain consistent are 80 oz of water and no second helpings.

9/14/07

My friends MaryAnn and Chuck came over last night, and we did DDR. We had a ball! I figure I danced for 15-20 minutes all together. Not a lot, but more exercise than most nights.

9/12/07

340

Pretty much the same as last week. I'm okay with that. The scales I weigh on back in the endo department were digital; today they had been replace by traditional doctor's scales. I don't really think that made any difference in my weight.

We mowed the yard yesterday, so I did get some exercise. I may be doing DDR with girlfriend tomorrow night. Yeah, I know I could do it by myself, but honestly, I probably won't.

On a completely different subject, I made a FABULOUS cover for my wrist rest at work. My skin kinda stuck to it, so I got this gorgeous silky fabric in the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby. I had some left over, so I made 2 memo boards for my walls. Really brightens up the horse stall! (If you saw my office, you'd understand. The desks are set up for patient privacy. Privacy isn't achieved, but we feel like we have stalls.)

PS--My girlfriend Shauna sent me the "Smart is the new Skinny" magnet for one of my 40th b-day presents. Love it!!!!

9/5/07

339.2

Not as hideous as I expected. And I've made pretty good food choices for most of the day. Perhaps not the most nutritious, but portion-wise, pretty good.

9/4/07

Last night I read a scripture that rocked my world.

8-10 "'But they rebelled against me, wouldn't listen to a word I said. None got rid of the vile things they were addicted to. They held on to the no-gods of Egypt as if for dear life. I seriously considered inflicting my anger on them in force right there in Egypt. Then I thought better of it. I acted out of who I was, not by how I felt. And I acted in a way that would evoke honor, not blasphemy, from the nations around them, nations who had seen me reveal myself by promising to lead my people out of Egypt. And then I did it: I led them out of Egypt into the desert.

Ezekiel 20:8-10, The Message

I acted out of who I was, not by how I felt. WOW! If I can get a handle on that verse, and actually live it out, it is going to make a difference not only in my eating, but my entire life. I'm a little hesitant to post this on here, because I try so many things and fail. But at least I'm trying. I haven't given up. And by posting here I can have some accountability.

I want to do some further study inspired by this verse. I'm going to research who I am in Christ; list some scriptures to remind myself of who I am and to whom I belong. And I do want to act in a way that brings honor to the God I claim to serve.

So, all that being said, I paid more attention to my eating today, and did will most of the day, except for a too large afternoon snack. But progress, not perfection. I certainly did better that yesterday. I will weigh in tomorrow, and I expect to be horrified by the results. But I'll post them anyhow.

8/24/07

I've realized that I'm in an "I don't care" mode right now, and that's just going to have to be okay. I'm hovering around the same weight, eating too much and not exercising. When I start eating right again and exercising, the weight will come off again. But for right now, this is where I am.

8/20/07

338.5 on 8/16.

I was right about the bump being from eating so late.

8/15/07

342

Okay, I said I was going to be honest even if I didn't like what I saw. I and DEFINITELY didn't like what I saw this morning. Or how I felt. And I wasn't going to post. But, here I am.

I ate supper early last night, so I was hungry again late, and I ate again. Which probably (hopefully) explains the big jump. I am going to weigh again tomorrow. I ate better portions today. I really need to work some exercise in. I did weed-eating yesterday, and planned to mow my half of the yard, but the mower broke. We just borrowed my friend's boy and mower tonight, as it was much hotter and very humid.

8/11/07

338.9

Down 1.7 since Wed. So much for trying not to weigh every day! And I find it kinda funny that when I am up 1 lb, I can discount it, but when I lose 1 or 2, it's a triumph!

Had planned over-eating last night. I was called to be a sub at Bunco (woo-hoo!), and if you've never played, it's all about the food and fellowship. You kinda have to pick up some food each time you go by the food table. I at reasonably all day, and didn't eat supper, so it would help off set the bunco abundance. And this morning, started back in on reasonable portions and eating only when hungry. I'm going to a cook out tomorrow afternoon, and the plan is to eat a little of each thing that I'd like, but not a ton of anything.