For God so loved the world, that He gave His only free support blogs

Maria7 - Wednesday Oct 27, 2010
(Small Changes Make Big Successes)
Weight: 147.6

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

Today has been finish getting things settled from vacation (putting things where they go, etc.) and the usual tidy house deal.

I've been getting calls from my friends since we've gotten back home, want me to do this and that... two of them who did not even visit Mom in the nursing home one time while we were away and didn't know I'd hired someone to do it and knows how important Mom is to me...guess what??? I'm so not in the mood. I DID bring them back gifts and took to them but I am so not in the mood for listening to talk about their world.

My friend who was really 'there' for me (and for Mom) while we were away is the one I plan on spending more time with...(the one who was willing to visit Mom every day for free but I insisted on paying her and finally got her to take the money before we left) and she even visited Mom an extra day over what I'd asked her to...she is the one I plan on having lunch with....after I get renewed energy to get out and about again.

Today's menu:

2 turkey sausages 120

2/3 cup grits w a little low cal marg 180

2 turkey sausages 120

2 diet breads 80

ground beef w tomato sauce, slaw w low cal mayo, tomato, cucumber 800

whole grain/cheddar cheese crackers 510

apple 80

mixed fruit 90

Total est cals: 1980

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Hope you're all having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 57.4 lbs lost so far, only 7.6 lbs to go!

hollybelle on 10/27/2010:
YAY for good friends! This one sounds like to sparkling jewel!

moogy on 10/27/2010:
Sounds like you have sort out the weeds from the chaff over there and know who your real friends are. It is 8 am and although I did sleep in a little, I think you may have forgotten about daylight saving. Have a great day Maria.

moogy on 10/27/2010:
It's OK Maria, I knew you were teasing. I like to wake up to your good morning's. It's lovely!!

V on 10/27/2010:
Hi Maria :) I was wondering if you would email me your address so I can put you on my xmas card list i know how much you love the season ;) My email info is on my profile...have a good one :)

hopingforhealth on 10/27/2010:
It sounds like you have one rare and wonderful friend! Sometimes its hard for people to see past their own stuff and be caring about everyone else's.

Maria7 - Tuesday Oct 26, 2010
(Small Changes Make Big Successes)
Weight: 147.6

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

It is SOOOO good to be back home! Missed you, Friends!

Hubby and I had a wonderful time on our mountain vacation! We did a lot of hiking. There was one almost vertical hill he really had to help me get up. Hubby is very big and very strong!

As usual, I overpacked so much, there was hardly enough space in the back seat of the pickup truck to bring back what we bought while there. I could have very easily packed us 2 outfits each plus our usual personal stuff and fitted it all in one suitcase and that would have done us easily, including the 3rd outfit we wore to the mountains! Instead, I packed a duffle bag full of snacks (not needed), and a medium suitcase for Hubby's things and another one for my things and a vanity case for personals, thinking I was doing well...NOT!/ We were lugging that stuff up and down steep stairs 3 floors up at one resort that had no elevator.

But...we did have a wonderful time. The reds, yellows, oranges, burgundies, and golds in the mountains were very bright and vivid and exhilarating to be in! We stayed at a waterfront room surrounded by mountains with the best view at two different locations!

As for weight...I actually gained only one pound while we were gone 6 days and 6 nights on our vacation, which I think is just fine. I averaged about 2500 calories per day which was very much needed for the amount of hiking Hubby and I did, which was a lot. My size 8 clothes fit me very well, which I happily wore, and still do. I also bought a pair of size 6 Levis jeans while in the mountains, which though snug, I can get them on and fasten them and they are 100% cotton, no stretch!

I thank our DD webmaster for all he went through in getting this site back up and going again as well as his maintaining this site, as well as I know you ladies thank him as well. It doesn't look like an easy job to keep up with and he doesn't even charge us, either! What a wonderful person to do that for us! Thank you, DD webmaster!

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Hope you're all having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 57.4 lbs lost so far, only 7.6 lbs to go!

Umpqua on 10/26/2010:
Your vacation sounds incredible, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great job with the calories and hiking! And good to see you back on here!

moogy on 10/26/2010:
Well done on only gaining a pound Maria, it must of been lugging all that luggage. Also a big well done for the jeans, no stretch, I mean that really is good going, Levi's are pretty unforgiving in the tush department. So glad you had a lovely time, it sounds like the colours of the mountains were wonderful. Lovely to be back with you.

hopingforhealth on 10/26/2010:
I'm so glad to "see" everyone again! It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. Only gaining a pound is fantastic! (Better than I did on mine)

V on 10/26/2010:
Maria!!!! It seems like ages, i really missed you! Well you ask about tips on staying motivated and I plan to post maybe something on the forum about it, but for me i think the saving grace for me and i know you will totally relate is clearing the fridge and pantry of EVERYTHING that was not on my plan...The pantry is still bare but my fridge is always loaded with healthy fresh fruits veggies and lean meats,water and celsius, My poor freezer has but mere ice cubes...Until my trip home to Chicago in August, i allowed no "cheat days" and since binging was never an issue with me no prob in that department..Oh and finally I know my success mainly comes from the structure of having a set menu for the week that i prepare,weigh and bag every Monday...Now does this work for everyone? I don't know but I know it works for me...i hope i didn't bore you LOL

Sofia on 10/26/2010:
That one pound may very well be muscle, hiking takes a lot out of you!

V on 10/26/2010:
Where are my manners how is your mom doing? I hope all is well :)

V on 10/26/2010:
Lol you are not being nosey! isn't this what this site is all about..LOl I am currently designing my own maintainance program but for now i stick with 12 ozs of lean proteins and 3-4 servings of fresh veggies and fruit 1 serving= 1cup raw veggies, 1/2 cup if steamed or sauteed..I thought of you Sunday when I had a salad with seeds and various nuts and it was deelish...Oh and the Sunday before I even indulged in a half piece of coconut cake?? It was good but I felt so guilty afterwards...I guess that i have to reprogram to allow a few indulgences every now and then.. i still plan on preparing my meals for the week on Monday and make Sunday my day to have something I normally wouldn't drink or eat, in moderate portions of course

nita51 on 10/27/2010:
Missed you! oxox

KathyBlue on 10/27/2010:
Missed you, Maria! :) I do overpack myself every time :)! :) That 1 pound is nothing, you'll drop it, and congrats on the great maintaining work! :)

just42day on 10/27/2010:
Glad your vacation was so nice! Gaining only 1 lb on a vacation is nothing. You did great! Good for you! :)

biscottibody59 on 10/27/2010:
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like you had a truly great trip--sounds like you enjoyed yourselves!

Have a good day!

selina on 10/27/2010:
Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation and missed the DD meltdown. Yay, for gaining only one pound!

legcramps on 10/27/2010:
So glad you had such an amazing vacation! Good for you!

selina on 10/27/2010:
I'd send you a whole bunch if I could!!! hugs to you!

hollybelle on 10/27/2010:
Hi Maria - it's been so long! I missed you! The hiking sounds wonderful! That pound will be gone soon. Where did you all go? Sorry I missed it if you said. I'm so behind! My h and I love to hike and the mountains are so nice this time of year. Had to laugh at the packing comments - I always take too much, too because I want CHOICES! Too funny!

Maria7 - Wednesday Oct 13, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 144.2

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

I stayed up very late last nite, watching the first Chile miners come up after being trapped for over 2 months. They are still being rescued. I thank the Lord for their rescue. Here is a link if you want to watch their rescue live over the internet: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/watch-live-video-6046305?tab=9482931&section=6087493&playlist=&page=1

After clicking on the above, you have to scroll down the page to 'watch live event' and click on that and then wait during a little commercial before viewing it.

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Hubby told me this morning he wants me to have the biggest suitcases packed so he can load his truck by Friday afternoon so he doesn't have to do it Saturday morning before we leave. I've come a LONG WAY in packing for vacations. When we first went on a vacation close to 20 years ago, I think I packed '9' trunks and large suitcases that we took to stay 9 days at the beach. No, that didn't include the kitchen sink, hahahaha! Needless to say we didn't use most of it and there was NO ELEVATOR where we stayed (and lugged that stuff up 3 floors, I think it was). Then as the years went by, I got better about how much I packed for us to carry and got it down to about half of that (hahaha) for a trip we took to Kentucky in 2004 (no elevator where we stayed). The largest suitcase was so stuffed, the handle broke off of it! We had to go to a store to find a replacement suitcase (expensive) to put the stuff in it, that was in the broken-handle suitcase. This time I am going to 'TRY' to limit the packing to 1 medium suitcase each, a small suitcase or duffle bag (gotta have for snacks, etc.), and a vanity case (shampoo, toothpaste, other personal items,etc.). And I may take my laptop, too. So, between now and tomorrow, I've got to bake my Daughter her birthday cake (her birthday is Friday) and decide what to give her for her birthday and get that taken care of, and also between now and Friday afternoon, I've got to get the packing done to go on vacation and between now and Friday, I've got to tell Mom we are going on vacation!

Update: Silly me wasn't looking where I was going when I was hurriedly walking from the mailbox back to the house a little while ago, and tripped over a tree root and went flying through the air. Had a hard landing and now taking aspirin for back, hip, and leg pain (skinned up my knee and hurt my hand, too)...did I tell you we are fixing to be hiking in the mountains????

Update again: Finished baking birthday cake (4 layer pineapple) for Daughter. Got her card and gift (money) ready to give to her Friday (her birthday). Now to pack...

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Today's food:

2 coffees w creamer and splenda, 1/2 cupful grits w low cal marg, and 1 microwaved egg 200

whole wheat turkey sub s/w w lots veggies 300

bbq lf potato chips 140

bk chocolate ice cream sundae 400

another bk chocolate ice cream sundae 400

small pineapple cupcake (made Hubby a big pineapple cupcake) 100

2 diet breads, chicken salad 160

popcorn 100

1/2 cupful scuppernong grapes 50

total est cals: 1850

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 60.8 lbs lost so far, only 4.2 lbs to go!

legcramps on 10/13/2010:
Whew! It's going to be a busy week, isn't it?!

chidogs on 10/13/2010:
Busy stuff, but vacation packing is fun! I spent 3 months in Europe way back when I was young. Took one suitcase,within a week I sent everything back but 1 pair of jeans, 1 skirt, 2 tops, coat, shoes and socks. One learns that what you take you carry! Sounds like you have it under control. :)

liza36 on 10/13/2010:
Oh my goodness Maria, I hope the fly through the air doesn't impact your ability to hike this weekend. Feel better!

Umpqua on 10/13/2010:
Sorry to hear you fell, hope you get to feeling better soon!

selina on 10/13/2010:
Yikes, Maria. I hope you didn't brake anything! But seriously, I hope this will not spoil your weekend. Stay well!

Before lasik I couldn't see a thing, unless I wore contacts or glasses. After the surgery I had 20/20 vision for 10 years, Now I have 20/25 with both eyes open. When I close one, the right eye is 20/40 and the other one is better... I heard that it is possible to have another lasik if the first didn't work so well. Mine was perfect the first time around.

nita51 on 10/13/2010:
OUCHIE! Sorry to hear about your accident. Please get some rest, so you can feel better. Thanks for the link on the miners. I am so happy for them! They should become Evangelist, because they have a testimony that could help change the world. Love you

selina on 10/13/2010:
I watched the rescue, too. Only the first one, then I went to bed...

moogy on 10/13/2010:
Ouch! I hope you are OK. Your husband may have to either slow down with his hiking or go by himself. I understand the need to take everything but the kitchen sink, it is just in case you need the particular thing you are packing. Maybe you could just buy stuff that you didn't pack if you have had to leave it behind. Now, you wouldn't mind that too much, would you?

breakaway on 10/13/2010:
Sure hope everything is ok! Have a great day. I have to watch the miners (reruns)...I was at work when the first ones come up.

just42day on 10/13/2010:
Packing tip. Pack everything you think you need. Then take out 2-3 outfits because you WON'T need them. Plus, you MUST have space for items purchased while on vacation... :) Sorry about your fall! Hope you're ok.

V on 10/13/2010:
LOl!!! I am a horrible packer as well...I will not post how many bags I packed for college the first time,let's just say it was supermodel worthy...My goal for my xmas trip home....1 suitcase???? LOL

SusieQueue on 10/13/2010:
I used to be like that too. Now I pack one medium bag and if i need something, I buy it.

hopingforhealth on 10/13/2010:
Isn't that amazing, that the miners could be rescued? The whole thing is just crazy.

Enjoy your vacation!

V on 10/13/2010:
:( How is your knee and hand??? Your cake sounds deelish :P

skinnygrlwithin on 10/13/2010:
Of course I don't mind =) I'm just about 5'1" tall... and you should definitely try the soup...it's so yummy but it does get a little salty

biscottibody59 on 10/13/2010:
Your cake sounds lovely! Hope the body mends well by the time of your trip--maybe take it a little easier 'til then!

chidogs on 10/13/2010:
Oh be careful! That fall sounds painful. Why does stuff like this always happen right before vacation?! No more accidents so you can really enjoy yourself. Take care.

just42day on 10/26/2010:
Looking forward to getting caught up w/you now that the site is back! :)

Maria7 - Tuesday Oct 12, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 144.6

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

Sitting here, watching 'Christmas Shoppe' on QVC channel. Such pretty Christmas lights and trees!

My weight is up and although I know it is mostly high-sodium, I decided to put it in anyway. I'm hoping to stay between goal 140.0 and 145.0 this week anyway, since planning on leaving on vacation with Hubby Saturday morning, Lord willing. I hired someone to sit with Mom for about an hour in the afternoons while we are away. She is a good friend and didn't want to take any money for helping me but I insisted as she is a widow with 3 children she has been raising as a single Mom after her Hubby passed a couple or so years ago and Christmas is coming up soon, too and I know she can use the money. So she finally said okay she would let me pay her when I told her I insisted. She is a very sweet person and Mom knows and likes her and will be comfortable with her spending time with her.

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Hubby and I are excitedly 'counting down the days' til we leave! (Heading for the mountains!)

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I got over half of the work done in the back room yesterday (converting it from a storage room to an office room) and hope to finish it today! Yayyyy!

Update: Regarding above statement....Got the room and the matching closet to the room FINISHED! YAYYY! (Now to find a desk for that room.) No more using that room for storage. Cleaned it out real good and vacumned it and have stuff to donate to the thrift store in the back of my vehicle. Plenty of space to make it into a nice office now.

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Evening update: Visited Mom this afternoon. I took her a baked sweet potato with cinnamon, a little sugar, and a very little low cal margerine on it and she ate it and enjoyed it. Had a nice, talkative long visit almost 2 hours. She said she didn't want to eat all of her potato salad that was on her plate at supper and was going to leave some of it and said of the remainder of the portion she was not going to eat, "That's probably 1/8 of a pound" (of a gain that she could avoid if she didn't eat it, hahaha!)

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Today's food:

2 coffees w creamer and splenda, 1 diet bread toast w low cal marg 100

1/2 homemade hamburger 200

fish s/w 400

bk chocolate ice cream sundae 400

cup of scuppernong grapes 100

baked cinnamon apple 100

butterscotch candies 100

whole grain cheddar cheese crackers 180

Today's total est cals: 1580

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 60.4 lbs lost so far, only 4.6 lbs to go!

biscottibody59 on 10/12/2010:
Good going on the housework--have a good Tuesday!

just42day on 10/12/2010:
I'm glad you found a companion for your mom while you're on vacation. I'm very sure your friend appreciates your generosity by paying her. (sign of a great friend who DOESN't want/expect to be paid.) It's friends that like who make you really want to pay them, doesn't it? :)

KathyBlue on 10/12/2010:
Ahhhh, good, I'm happy you were able to resolve the issue :)

chidogs on 10/12/2010:
That is a perfect solution in all ways! Your friend is someone who knows you and your Mom, and you are helping her out financially. See it all has worked out and now you can enjoy your vacation!! :)

legcramps on 10/12/2010:
Sounds great! Have a wonderful time on the getaway!

V on 10/12/2010:
You are such a sweetheart :) I think God brings people together for just that reason...Sometimes i have to stop and think of all of the things i sometimes take for granted and thank the Big Guy for all of the blessings he has bestowed to me :) Blessings to you Maria!

liza36 on 10/12/2010:
I'm so glad you worked out finding someone to sit with your mom. I hope now you can go on your vacation and not worry so much about her - I'm sure she will be fine.

hollybelle on 10/12/2010:
The arrangement for your mom and the family friend sounds like it worked out great. How nice that you can help her, she can help you! I am so excited for you cleaning out the back room! Way to go! I need to clean out so much at my house - it's not terrible, but I know it would simplify my life somewhat!! Have a wonderful day and God bless!

moogy on 10/12/2010:
It was a very productive day, it will be good to have a real office. I am releived that you have found someone you trust to sit with your mom. It means that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Yay!!!!

V on 10/12/2010:
Alright for getting organized and satisfying your sweet tooth without going over your calories :) I am happy you had a great visit with your mom :)

nita51 on 10/13/2010:
Hard to believe Christmas is almost here! Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. Baked cinnamon apples are my favorite. xoxo

selina on 10/13/2010:
Sounds like your mom is doing well, yay! Your vacation in the mountains sounds GREAT! The turning leaves will be perfect to view!

Umpqua on 10/13/2010:
Sounds like you had a great day yesterday, and I'm glad you're looking forward to your vacation. I hope you have an excellent one today!!

Maria7 - Monday Oct 11, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 142.8

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

I'm up a little over newest 'low' but I think it is mostly due to high-sodium foods over the weekend so will leave it be for now. I was doing SO WELL last nite and NOT HUNGRY around 6 pm so was planning on no supper when I decided to look at a channel on tv that had food on it...why did I do that???? I got hungry and ended up OVEREATING!

This week will be getting ready for Daughter's birthday (baking her birthday cake and getting her gift ready to give to her on Friday) as well as an outing she has invited me to tomorrow in the park spending time together, talking and eating cheeseburgers she is going to bring. Also packing for Hubby's and my upcoming (Lord willing) vacation! ...AND trying to figure out when will be the 'BEST' time to tell Mom we are going to be gone on vacation for about a week or so! There is NO best time to tell her that! She usually does NOT NOT NOT take it well and I just hope I don't let what she says upset me like I've done before (and came back early to be there for her cause I was so worried about her and no one would help me by filling in for me while we were gone and I didn't spend much time with Hubby)! If I tell her too early, she may act okay a couple days and then the nearer it gets time for us to leave, completely change her attitude to ANGER!...(Then will come the guilt trip). She does NOT like for me to leave her or be away from her for days or not be available all hours. If you have family members that help you in taking care of or even spending time with your parents, you are VERY BLESSED!!! My family ALL have EXCUSES why they can't help me with Mom! Maybe I can find someone reliable to hire to sit with Mom an hour or 2 a day... That would help her feel better I think and me as well! Also, I'm trying to finish clearing out a back room that has been used for storage so it can be used for an office room instead. I am going to try to stay away from any unnecessary shopping this week...so much for shopping therapy!

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Today's food:

coffee w creamer and splenda 10

sandwich relish sandwich w 2 tbs relish, 2 white breads 280

homemade w 2 white breads, ketchip, mustard, hamburger 350

baked 'french fries' 100

baked 'french fries' again 100

3 chicken viennas 120

1 bread 70

ear of corn (microwaved w a little salt on it only) 200

cupful scuppernong grapes 100

~~Total est cals: 1330~~

UPDATE: Why?????? I just finished off the jar of sunflower seeds, proving to myself that I can NOT have any trigger foods in the house after all! 500 extra calories...bringing today's total to 1830! I'll just name it Stress...yeah right...it was stress...yeah, like it is EVERY DAY almost and I don't have mini-binges every day!

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 62.2 lbs lost so far, only 2.8 lbs to go!

skinnygrlwithin on 10/11/2010:
I HATE when that happens... i did that to myself with the show "best thing I ever ate...cheese" and "best thing I ever ate...burgers" It WAS TERRIBLE!!! It happens to us all though so don't be too down on yourself

chidogs on 10/11/2010:
Do not let what your Mom says or does bring you down. You know that deep in her heart she would not want to be a burdon to you, and would want you to be happy and enjoy your vacation. Is there someone in the facility that she likes who could spend time with her off and on? Could you leave some little gifts, so every other day or so someone could give her one from you to cheer her? You musn't cut your trip short. It is important to you, for your own health, to be away for awhile. She will survive it. Take care.

V on 10/11/2010:
Hi Maria!!!!

liza36 on 10/11/2010:
I'm sorry your mom gets so upset when you leave. Everyone should enjoy a vacation. I hope she takes the news a little better. I like Chidogs' suggestions, especially the little gifts, or maybe you could mail her a postcard every day. Have a good day!

Umpqua on 10/11/2010:
I like the idea of finding someone to visit with your Mom while you are gone. I wonder if a student would be willing to do it on a volunteer basis (maybe in exchange for getting extra credits at school) or for a very small fee. That would make you and your Mom feel at ease so you can enjoy your vacation some more. It's too bad no one else is willing to pick up the slack for you while you're on vacation. I have no siblings so I know I will be in your situation when my parents are older. Hugs to you - but realize your vacation is important and you and hubby need that time away! Are you going to the beach?

As far as food shows, I have one I love - No Reservations on the Travel Channel. The ONLY time I will watch it is during my workout! My mouth gets watering sometimes but I know I'm working out and that food is off limits during that time. I don't think I'd be able to watch it at night!

KathyBlue on 10/11/2010:
i agree w Umpqua, it's a good idea to "hire" a student or sg... Do you have any brothers or sisters? You need vacation, take it as a medical prescription! :)

just42day on 10/11/2010:
Does your mother like animals? I know lots of places have "therapy animals" who visit hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Maybe you could arrange for a furry visitor in your absence? Though nothing could take your place, it might be a temporary distraction. Enjoy the time with your daughter! :)

moogy on 10/11/2010:
I understand the bond and the responsibility you feel with your mom. However, you and your husband have a life to lead, you have a right to enjoy yourselves and even a responsibility to your husband to spend time with him exclusively. I don't believe that your mother will miss you as much as she indicates. Old frail people really do seem to turn childlike again in their reactions. It may do you mom some good to have to extend her support circle to her 'friends' at the home. You deserve to enjoy yourself - you have worked hard for it!! You need to relax, replenish and restore your balance so that you can do all the things that you are responsible for when you return. :)

hopingforhealth on 10/11/2010:
I'm sorry you are dreading telling your mom about vacation. I don't blame you. But you are such a wonderful daughter to her and you deserve to get a little break every now and then. Sometimes older and sicker people aren't always rational about what upsets them. I'm sure she will miss you, but I think you should do the best you can not to let her missing you ruin your vacation. When you do so much for other people, you have to remember to do nice things for yourself too!

I hear you with the food shows. I love them and sometimes it is no good. Yesterday I watched cupcake wars and it made me want sweets or baked goods like nobody's business. I was lucky I didn't have any in the house!

moogy on 10/11/2010:
I am the opposite, if I can't eat food then I want to watch it, read about it and generally wallow in all forms of entertainment around food. Just as well that we are not all the same. :)

V on 10/11/2010:
Good luck with your talk with your mom :( I am sorry you don't have anyone from your family to help you out! As far as that food network...i never watch it it always makes me hungry

moogy on 10/11/2010:
You were living on the edge a bit with the cake show Maria. Although I don't think I have ever noticed that you eat cake, it is just as well that it wasn't a popcorn machine demonstration - now that would have sent you screaming to the cupboards!!!!:)

V on 10/11/2010:
Yes I got my Starbucks and if only they delivered....LOL

moogy on 10/11/2010:
Not a writer but an ace student in English, my daughter is the writer of the family - but it's a nice compliment, thank you!:)

breakaway on 10/11/2010:
God bless u Maria...your so good with ur mom but it's a shame ur family can't help out just so u can enjoy ur vacation:(. Just enjoy yourself and don't worry...ur mom will be ok. U deserve this :)

V on 10/11/2010:
You got that right Maria!!! If i had a can of those planters mixed nuts I could do some major damage which is why my cabinets are bare and my fridge is stocked with only fresh healthy foods :)

moogy on 10/11/2010:
Handing in two essays is a little excessive Maria. I never went to that extreme but I really loved English it was my equal top subject with Ancient History, which I loved as well.

V on 10/11/2010:
Unfortunately salty crunchy foods are a no no for me but maybe pretzels(low sodium) would satisfy your crunch craving or even some of those low cal cheez its or make your own low cal trail mix with unsalted nuts...I think Holly has a post for a low fat trail mix

V on 10/11/2010:
Oh and I love to taste the full flavor of coffee so no cream sugar or additives for this girl :) Just caffeine :)

selina on 10/12/2010:
Good morning! I hope you'll have a great day!

I hope your mom will not get too upset this time around, you deserve a vacation! We all do!

Maria7 - Sunday Oct 10, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 142.8

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello Friends!

Hubby and I just got home a little while ago. We went to church this morning, then we went out to eat BUFFET. Before we left the restaurant, I fixed Mom a container of turkey, dressing w giblet gravy, and candied yams to take to her.

Hubby and I visited Mom and she was sitting in her wheelchair in the nursing home dining room where they'd had lunch and she didn't hardly touch hers....She was also not hungry again for what we brought her. So Hubby put it in her room for later if she gets hungry. I took photos of her...She had on her pretty new Cracker Barrel shirt with autumn leaves and was showing her new ring I gave her and her pretty orange fingernails that she painted herself the other day, in the photos today.

Well...I am down -4.0 for the past month...so...pretty good, I'd say, since I had most of the foods I wanted, just not ALL of what I wanted to eat. Yes, I did put up with growling hungry stomach at nite sometimes but not all the time and still went down -4! I did a LOT of walking and weight lifting. Hubby and I are planning, Lord willing, on leaving on vacation this coming Saturday so I am not going to get in a 'mad rush' to get to goal before then...if I do fine, if not, fine cause he and I usually do a lot of walking/hiking when we go on trips together! And I've got to stay STRONG (as in no very low calories this week!) to keep up with my very fast-walking/hiking Hubby! He sees walking/hiking as a job to be done QUICKLY and likes for me to keep up with him!

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Today's food:

Breakfast: Coffee w tsp low cal creamer (10) and splenda (0), 1 microwaved egg, 1/3 cupful microwaved grits, 1 tsp margerine, 2 peppermints (190) 200

'Don't forget to eat your veggies!'

Lunch (buffet): mostly lunch was a veggies salad with a little mac&cheese, yams, pecans, and a little fried chicken 800

Snack: sunflower seeds 75

Snack: 2 butterscotch candies, sunflower seeds 115

Supper: ~~looking like none...just not particularly hungry...and it's almost 6 p.m....and don't want to eat late...so may not have any supper...~~

Supper: lf bologna s/w w tsp lowcal mayo on 1 reg bread 110

Snacks, include below: 4 butterscotch candies (don't look at the food channel when you're not hungry!) 100

small microwave speghetti 200

1 reg bread 70

whole grain w cheddar cheese crackers 180

sunflower seeds 100

Total est cals today: 1950

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 62.2 lbs lost so far, only 2.8 lbs to go!

hollybelle on 10/10/2010:
Congratulations on the =4 lbs for the month. Vacation is always an incentive for me - hope it will be for you, too. Sorry Mom wasn't feeling great. But it sounds like she has had some pretty good days this past week. Maybe more good days coming up. The ups and downs are hard.

V on 10/10/2010:
it is always comforting to know that as long as we don't overdo it we can allow ourselves things we really want every now and then :) I am sure your mom will eat later! You always bring her irresistable foods!!! Have a great evening Maria!!!

hopingforhealth on 10/10/2010:
Way to go with the loss! Good for you.

I am very short, so it is heavy for my height. But in all fairness to my friends, they'll all known me for long enough, and at different sizes, that they probably don't really think about my looks anymore. Just an insensitive/ crummy lunch. But so it goes! Thanks for the encouragement.

moogy on 10/10/2010:
A pound a week is just about perfect - well done!!. A little high today but not so high as to affect your weight one way or another. Tomorrow is the start of a new week and a fresh start, we are fortunate that we are able to bounce back and start over. Have a good Monday Maria.:)

chidogs on 10/10/2010:
It sounds like you are doing it slow but steady which is just fine. Eating some foods we want on occassion can help us be strong later I think. We don't feel like we are suffering so badly! Your Mom will be happier again. We all have off days and older folks tend to have more than younger ones. You do take wonderful care of her. Be proud.

just42day on 10/10/2010:
Sounds like you're having a great day! I'm glad your mom enjoyed her new shirt and ring! (You mentioned the turkey & dressing for her -- boy, that's one of my absolute favorites and now I want it!) As always, you have a great attitude and I'm sure you'll be in maintenance mode in no time! :)

V on 10/10/2010:
LOL Val is my best friend....Now if I were Val and I were speaking as if we were 2 different people and the same person well then I would have more issues than dieting!!!!! my name is and always have been Vannessa

V on 10/10/2010:
I am not that psycho!!!! LOL

Umpqua on 10/11/2010:
Your lunch yesterday sounds amazing. I hope you have a great week!

Maria7 - Saturday Oct 09, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 143.4

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

I'm almost back to my recent low of 142.6 again! (And then ONNNNN!!! to goalweight 140.0!) I was HUNGRY late last nite but I didn't give in and this morning I am down -1.2 from yesterday!

Hubby is working today so I may go to a festival in a nearby town that I heard about and walk around some there...

Evening update: I went to the festival...lots of goodies (as in food) there...bought Mom a beautiful red and gold bracelet and myself a pretty colorful rinestone bracelet. Lots of temptations there...lots of sweets...a bag of chocolate covered pecans almost JUMPED off the table to me...I really considered them...probably they would have been 2000 calories or more...I told myself that I had a choice: Stay in size 8 jeans and feel good about my size or buy the chocolate covered pecans and enjoy eating them and keep that trend up and soon be back to where I was...guess which one won...that's right...size 8! So I walked around at the festival, listening to live music being played, looking at things that were NOT food (many tents there...some were food tents, some of merchandise tents)...like jewlery, which there was LOTS OF...there were even cats and dogs for sale there...also pretty aprons...I decided after buying Mom her bracelet that I would also get myself one for my reward of avoiding the chocolate covered pecans...so after I bought my bracelet, I went by that pecan tent again, which was on my way as I was heading back to where I'd arrived at the festival and there was my second favorite...honey covered pecans...ohhhh! I really considered them! But I kept going right past them. I saw a friend and talked with her a little while, then as I was walking back to my vehicle, I thought...well...it won't hurt to have a cookie...and there right in front of me was a pack of sort of small sweet potato/pecan muffins...all of maximum 400 calories, I'd say (and call it supper)...so I got the pack of 2 for $1.00. Yum! So good I considered going back for more...forget the muffins...I wanted a sweet potato/pecan CAKE!!! But....not/!

I took Mom her bracelet, which I'm not sure if she really liked it or not...but she did put it on and I also gave her a beautiful ring I got her at a store the other day...she especially loves pretty rings! She DID like it! She was in bed in her gown...but I think only relaxing, cause she told me they allowed her to stay in her room today (in bed), cause she "didn't have to work today"....(as in be made to go to the dining room and sit up in her wheelchair with the other residents a few hours)....

Came home and Hubby and I put up (mostly he did it) new shades that needed replacing at 3 of the windows in our home...quite a job! They were made different from our old ones and put up an entirely different way that took a while to figure out even with the directions.

I feel good about my calories today cause I was very tempted and yet didn't give in. AND I got a compliment on my size! My friend's friend (they were both at the festival) complimented me. I am finally the size I am (mostly) comfortable with although when I look in the mirror, I still appear to myself to be either medium sized or slightly overweight even with a bmi of 21.8.

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Today's food:

1/2 cup grits w 1 tsp margerine, microwaved egg, coffee w creamer and splenda 200

sunflower seeds 50

bk hamburger (part of), bk chocolate ice cream sundae 650

2 sweet potato/pecan muffins (not large) 400

sunflower seeds 50

total est cals today: 1350

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 61.6 lbs lost so far, only 3.4 lbs to go!

selina on 10/09/2010:
Congrats on the loss, Maria! Enjoy the festival, today!

skinnygrlwithin on 10/09/2010:
WOOOHOO for weight loss =) Good luck at your festival!! =)

hollybelle on 10/09/2010:
Good work, Maria! P.S. I think I'm going to havae grits tomorrow a.m.

just42day on 10/09/2010:
Congrats on your continued loss! You're doing wonderfully! Hope you get to enjoy the festival and good weather! thanks for the kind words. Yes, I am very pleased with the progress I've made. Definitely have a ways to go but I feel I've made some serious dents in the goal! Thanks again! :)

KathyBlue on 10/09/2010:
ahh Maria, you're doing great!!!! :D Have fun at the festival, shoot some pictures! :)

moogy on 10/09/2010:
Excellent Maria, I love it that you didn't give in to your hunger last night and so glad that you got your reward this morning. Well done to you!!:) Have a lovely day!

nita51 on 10/09/2010:
Have a good weekend! Hugs

moogy on 10/09/2010:
Maria, I think that you have turned a corner. I am so proud of you in resisting one of your favourite treats. Well done to you. Getting yourself a non food treat was a wonderful idea. I bet that you felt wonderful staying strong!!

just42day on 10/10/2010:
Great job doing all the walking at the festival and even greater job walking AWAY from all the temptations! :)

breakaway on 10/10/2010:
Congrats on the lose :D Isn't it funny how we always tend to see ourselves bigger even tho we are not. When I was in high school and 120 lbs I thought I was HUGE. That is exactly why I ended up like this :( Have a great day and thanks for the comments!

hollybelle on 10/10/2010:
Didn't have my grits Maria - had carrot soup for breakfast - tomorrow grits, or soon! The festival sounds like so much fun and I'm SO HAPPY you didn't endulge in some of the goodies there - I have a hard time with Funnel Cakes at those things! I would have probably opted for the muffins, though! Have a great day - also you and husband - good work on the blinds! I need to also do some stuff like that!

hopingforhealth on 10/10/2010:
Sounds like you had a great time at the fair! Way to resist!

Maria7 - Friday Oct 08, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 144.6

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

Today, I washed and dried clothes (without wringing them out by hand)...did a little shopping (walked a lot and parked far away from stores for even more walking), visited Mom (who is doing much better and was sitting with her friends in the dining room at the same table) and took her a hamburger.

Today's food:

1 small oatmeal pancake, scrambled egg, coffee w creamer and splenda 350

bk hamburger, bk chocolate ice cream sundae 700

peppermint 25

tuna salad of tuna, lettuce, onion, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, t i dsg 325

Total est cals today: 1400 (and still VERY HUNGRY)

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 60.4 lbs lost so far, only 4.6 lbs to go!

moogy on 10/08/2010:
You have got to love modern machines, I bet you really enjoyed doing the washing today!! I was glad to read that your mom was having a good day - that's wonderful. I hope you are able to keep your calories at a level you are happy with this evening. :)

moogy on 10/08/2010:
I'm back, I just read you post. I use a high fibre white bread soaked in whole eggs, beaten. I spray the frypan and cook the slices until browned, then dust with cinnamon or have with maple syrup, or both!!

tangalyn on 10/08/2010:
glad ur mom is doing better, enjoy ur night :-)

chidogs on 10/08/2010:
Nothing makes you appreciate something like a washer/drying until it quits on you! Your menu is great and sounds yummy. And I sympathize with you on the feeling hungry thing. I think I've felt hungry every day for the past week. I'm hoping it will fade a little as I get used to the smaller portions. But you hang in there. And I'm glad your Mom is doing so much better. Bet she enjoyed the burger! :)

just42day on 10/09/2010:
Sounds like your mom has been doing better the past few days. I'm happy for both of you because I know how you worry. I hope the rest of your weekend is a good one. :)

Maria7 - Thursday Oct 07, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 145.0

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

I got on the scale this morning and this is what it looked like: Like...'don't get mad at me! I didn't do it, you did!'...Well, to that, I say...'Did what???'...I've been walking a lot, lifting weights a lot, getting smaller and clothes fitting looser and I'm up to 145.0 today??? But that is what it read... Hummmmm.....

Update: Friend and I had lunch together, then after I took her home, I visited Mom, who seemed to be doing quite well, sitting in her wheelchair in the dining room at the nursing home with friends and smiling.

Hubby and I went to a store to order a washer and dryer set this afternoon and found out that in order for them to be delivered and installed for 'free', they were NOT ON SALE but would be the FULL PRICE! An increase of $124 plus tax! So...we decided to get them at the ON SALE price and have them at the store load them onto the back of Hubby's truck, which they did and we brought the new washer and dryer set home with us and hired a friend to come help Hubby, which he did, and now we have the set installed in our home and working real well...yayyyy! (No more wringing out clothes by hand!)

I've been extra good with calories today and am anticipating the scale being at least a little more agreeable tomorrow morning...looking back at my calories over the past week, I had a few days I went slightly over my calories' allowance, but I also had a few days I was under them even more, so at the very least I should have maintained 142.6, not gained up to 145.0! I also measured with the tape measure this morning which confirms I have not gotten larger. And I have been lifting weights a LOT...so must be muscle weight gain, which is a good thing, right???

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Today's food:

1 fruit cup and 2 coffees w creamer and splenda 75

turkey, candied yams, dressing, icing 700

peppermint 25

2 diet toasts w 2 lf bologna microwaved, 1 tsp low cal mayo, 1/2 sm onion 150

sunflower seeds 50

Total est cals today: 1000

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 60 lbs lost so far, only 5 lbs to go!

liza36 on 10/07/2010:
It's funny, I had the same conversation with my scale this morning. It's frustrating, but I figure in long run, if I am establishing good habits, like my exercise, then eventually the weight will come off. At least that's what I told myself today so I wouldn't get so upset. Have a good one!

legcramps on 10/07/2010:
Uh-oh! Darn scales...

hollybelle on 10/07/2010:
Keep doing the good things and the scales will take care of you!

chidogs on 10/07/2010:
Don't let it get to you. You have done so good! Slowdowns happen, as I'm sure you know. Just keep up your good plan and you will beat that old scale.

Umpqua on 10/07/2010:
The scale doesn't know what it's talking about ;) Seriously, now that I'm getting closer to goal, I think I'm going to go 5 pounds lower when I reach it. And then keep that as a 5-pound range to account for fluctuations. Because it's just to difficult to keep to one weight! Maybe 140-145 is realistic range for you to maintain? If you feel good and your clothes fit, I'd say that's what matters most!

moogy on 10/07/2010:
I don't know Maria, our bodies are really strange, we are doing all the right things and nothing is showing up on the scale. It is dissapointing. All you can do is have a look at what you have been eating and check that there are no slip ups. I hope it co-operates with you soon.:)

hopingforhealth on 10/07/2010:
I just said this to Moogy, but one thing to think about since you are working out really well is that sometimes that causes a little plateau. Don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat! I have actually gained weight while losing size before while I was exercising a lot. This is especially true with weight training; the muscle comes first and then helps you burn fat. So even though the number might not be changing the way you want it to, your clothes are fitting great and that's awesome!

I have also had periods in my life when I weighed significantly less than friends who looked way skinnier than me and were way healthier than me too, and that was because of the muscle weighing more than fat thing too.

Sorry you had a bad scale day. You've been doing really great with your food and stuff.

moogy on 10/07/2010:
Muscle is definitly a good thing Maria. You are stronger and more muscle means more burnt calories. Well done!!

V on 10/07/2010:
Maria the lbs will come off and i am sure really soon :)

V on 10/07/2010:
PS sending lots and lots of love to you :)

just42day on 10/08/2010:
Congrats on the new appliances. I'm sure your scale will be more cooperative shortly as you're doing great! :)

hollybelle on 10/08/2010:
You and I must be at the same point on applicance and house repair. We had roof work a couple years ago and you know about my stove this week - it was my dryer a month ago. I'd love to have new washer and dryer but there are so many choices. Would you mind telling me what brand/model you guys decided upon and where you found it (if it was a chain store)? I get overwhelmed when I look at all of them!

Maria7 - Wednesday Oct 06, 2010
(Trying to get back to goal...)
Weight: 142.6

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Hello, Friends!

Went to a thrift store in a nearby town today and bought a pair of boot leg brown corduroy jeans name brand for just $2 and some-odd-cents...wow...tried them on there (size 8), they fit real well, and I got them to go with some new fall Cracker Barrel shirts I got recently.

Also visited Mom at the nursing home and sat and talked with her a while. Took her some bananas, which she ate one while I was there. She was not feeling well, she said she was sick and hurting all over (probably arthritis) but the good news is she said she is no longer having that terrible infection pain. It is GONE! Thank You, Jesus! She is WELL of that infection! And I thank you for your prayers! She surprised me by remembering vacation details from 4 years ago that I told her about at the time when Hubby and I had returned from hiking in the North Georgia Mountains. Why this was on her mind, i don't know...???

Our washing machine has 'kicked the bucket'...It has been 'acting up' off and on (more on) for about a year...Hubby and I ate supper out buffet this afternoon, then went and priced some washer and dryer sets. We plan, Lord willing, to go tomorrow evening and order a set. We both agreed that we didn't care for a set with lots of 'bells and whistles' and so decided to get a set that is nice but not extravagant. The set should be arrive early next week after we order it tomorrow. Until then, I will be working with the old washer, which will fill up with water, agitate, and then refuse to spin like it is supposed to....that's where I take each piece of clothing and wring out the water by hand. Hubby said he remembers we got the washer and dryer set not long after we got married (we celebrate our 21st anniversary this month), so they are very old for washers and dryers and it is time we replaced them. The dryer is in better condition than the washer but it makes unusual noises sometimes so it is going to be replaced, too.

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Today's food:

2 fruit cups, coffee 100

rice, hamburger onions and gravy, creamed potatoes, green beans 500

3 donut holes 150

boston baked beans 110

large salad, chicken, fish, cheese, pecans, ice cream 990

Total est cals: 1850

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Hope you're having a blessed day!

Love, Maria

Progress as of today - 62.4 lbs lost so far, only 2.6 lbs to go!

moogy on 10/06/2010:
It isn't until something happens to our machines that we appreciate how lucky we are to live in this day and age. It is always nice to get new (or even almost new) things. Well done on the pants. I am glad that your mother has recovered from the infection - that's really good news. Have a good evening Maria.

V on 10/06/2010:
Hi Maria :) WoW 21 years :) That is awesome congrats! Also YAYY to the size 8's fitting comfortable :) You are so close to your goal too my friend! Maybe you should bring your mom a picture of the mountains with you and your hubby in it, that way she will see it every day :)

chidogs on 10/06/2010:
Sounds like you had a very nice visit with your Mom. It is great that she remembered that vacation you had! Must have impressed her. The laundry thing, you are wise to avoid the bells and whistles. One of my favorite quotes is from a movie. "The more they tinker with the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." So the fancier your machine is, the more likely it will fail! Take care!

Umpqua on 10/07/2010:
First off, great news on your Mom's infection, that's awesome! And 21 years, congratulations! That's also a really long time for a washer and dryer to last, so they've had a good run I would say. Enjoy your new appliances, it's always fun to shop for that type of stuff!

selina on 10/07/2010:
Congrats for the size 8 pants! And for the new washer/drier, for your 21-year wedding anniversary, for your mom not feeling the infection pains! Stay well and have a great day!

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