While I feel better today, if not a bit sleepy, I have no motivation to go to work this morning. None whatsoever. So I thought I'd log in while I wait for my raw broccoli to dry off a bit after cleaning.
I went to bed early last night -- 8:15pm? But husband was watching TV, so that kept interrupting my sleep.
On Saturday, I bought some nice treats for the work week: Fage Greek yogurt (plain) 5% milkfat, cottage cheese 4% milkfat, more cheese sticks, and a small flavored creamer for those afternoons that are difficult. Yesterday, I had the yogurt for lunch. Today, I am taking some of the cottage cheese. I still have 2 cheese sticks at work, so I'll keep my pack at work until I'm out. And the creamer is coming with me today.
Here's a look at my food menu today:
Progress as of today: 62 lbs lost so far, only -12 lbs to go!
The back of my heel was hurting yesterday, and I think it's from walking around too much in the wrong shoe. Wearing gym shoes for the remainder of the day yesterday and for most of today has helped. I will do anything to avoid getting injured like that.
Yesterday was difficult all the way around. This morning I woke up congested, so that explains why I was feeling out of sorts. I got some zinc supplements to help stave off getting any sicker. Last winter, my boss introduced me to zinc nasal swabs, which I think made a huge difference.
I rode my bike earlier this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to going to bed EARLY tonight. For some very odd reason, I woke up last night at 12:46a sweating. Sometimes that happens if I have a large dinner (or a binge), but none of that happened. Maybe that's all part of getting sick?
Progress as of today: 62 lbs lost so far, only -12 lbs to go!
"Day One or One Day - You decide."
I am not happy with my current plan. I realized this last night, and I think a lot of it has to do with the menus being posted on this site. I want to thank you all who do take the time to lay out what you eat, because it made me notice that my current plan is perhaps too restrictive. Don't get me wrong - low carb/keto works for the numbers. But I feel like maybe I'm missing out, or find myself wishing I had more flexibility in choices. Unlike Grains, I don't feel bored; I feel resentment. Anger. Hate. <<< Who needs THAT in their life?
As I am looking at 2019 as the Year of Remodeling, I need some changes. I've already made one. As you know, I often ride the fancy bike in the evenings to releave stress. It's a programmable bike, I can track my workouts on my phone, fancy schmancy blah blah blah -- Anyway, rather than going for "calories burned" (which probably isn't all that accurate), starting on Sunday, for the new week, my goals will be time-based. I really only need 20 minutes to crank it out and releave the day's stress and stiffness in my body, and not the previous 200-300 calorie goals I've been doing. This will free up more time in my evenings for other activites or going to bed early. This is a healthier approach for me, mentally & physically, but I'll re-evaluate and re-adjust as needed.
I decided on this after spending nearly 2 hours (!) trying to reach a 300 calories-burned goal. Ridiculous!
Yesterday was Mom's birthday (70 years), so I called her up to wish her a happy birthday. As you may recall, she's lost a lot of weight and kept it off, for many years. IDK how long, but the kids were in grade school still, and now they're adults, so it's been a while. In the course of our conversation, she told me that she's gained 20 pounds and is starting to work on that, before it gets out of hand. WHAT??? She didn't seem heavier when we visited in October... But she says it's either make changes now or buy new clothes, and she isn't going to buy new clothes!
So we talked about fresh produce and eating healthy, etc., and moved on. But I have to confess to you, fellow DD'ers, that this really hit me like a brick. It really is a never-ending battle, is it? There is no "before" and "after", because once you get to "after", it can still be a struggle to stay in After-land.
Progress as of today: 62 lbs lost so far, only -12 lbs to go!
This time will be different for me (although I've said that before). I've finally accepted the fact that if I want to remain at a certain weight, it will require continued effort. Daily at first, but hopefully weekly / monthly monitoring as I get used to maintaining.
And my emotions concerning this process are wide and varied. Sometimes bored, sometimes bitter, sometimes worn-out, sometimes ticked off. Weight, scales, fat percentage, carbs, calories, protein, etc - all of these things occupy way too much of my mental time.
And it might just be a seasonal blahs thing too.
Logging in from work on my phone, which I hate doing, but today is such a struggle against food. Maybe it's the snow and or colder weather... maybe it's genuine hunger.
The struggle is real.
Progress as of today: 62.5 lbs lost so far, only -12.5 lbs to go!
So I woke up today with that "excited that it's Friday" feeling... only to realize soon afterwards that today is Thursday. Usually this means it's going to be a very long day...
My husband is at the VA hospital today, for more evaluations, for most of the day, so he should have some good stories at dinner. Last night, he made shepherd's pie with sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes. I'm glad he made it because this was probably going to be one of our holiday meals. While I'm so thankful that he made dinner, I was not a fan of the sweet potato substitution. I think that the dish would have done much better with the cauliflower "pseudo mashed potato" thing... The bright side is because it wasn't a favorite, I didn't eat as much nor did I feel tempted at all to eat a lot of it.
I think I may be on to something there...
I mentioned something about trying to do some keto bakinig -- how this is my intention every weekend for the past 3 weeks -- and that got a very positive reaction. I would really like to make the gingerbread, but I might do the keto brownies first, since it's easier. My thinking is that easy baking will lead to enthusiasm for a more challenging recipe. (And honestly, the gingerbread recipe isn't all THAT more complicated. It just has more ingredients, which is what makes for a little more work.)
I'm actually starting to look forward to the collegan supplement in my morning coffee. It makes it a little more foamy than just straight creamer. However, I have not seen ANY improvement in my hair or nails. Winter reaks havoc on my nails - they split, peel, and don't grow very quickly. The collegan has not done anything to change that. Neither have the "hair/skin/nails" gummy vitamins I've been taking for quite some time. I recently ran out of those, and I'm not sure it's worth buying more of that either! As Happy (I think) suggested, I'd probably be better served by bone broth, which will be nice during the winter, at least.
Progress as of today: 62.5 lbs lost so far, only -12.5 lbs to go!
the meal he made sounds good...healthier of course with cauli mash! ....which reminds me, i want to make my own cauli mash!
if you want a good keto brownie recipe, the 4 ingredient ones that i made with coconut oil were the best ones and everyone at work liked them!
Bone broth is the BEST way to get collagen and great for slow cookers / crockpots. i ALSO want to make this a couple times in Winter. maybe freezing the broth in ice cube form...! to have it throughout winter as i like to!
also, your nails, will prob take some time to improve...not overnight!
Not impressed with the PA (physician's assistant) evaluating my husband's heart test results. Very quick to prescribe a new pill, didn't mention diet, exercise, the desperate need to lose weight, sodium reduction.
I pointed this out to her and she replied, "Oh, I just assumed he was doing that already because he talked about working out." Yeah, going to the gym once a week and thinking you can eat whatever you want (candy, emergency frozen pizzas, Burger King) isn't really a plan.
My husband was only too happy to take another pill if that will solve the problem without facing to put forth much effort.
Still, we had a Whole 30 dinner. I was hungry.
Progress as of today: 62.5 lbs lost so far, only -12.5 lbs to go!
yes, someone talk sense into someone that it's not only a magic pill that is necessary!
So I didn't mention this, but on Friday, my husband got his test results back showing that he has an enlarged heart. This really had him worried, but then he spoke with a friend, who happens to be a radiologist, who talked him down, assuring him that this is not too uncommon and can be cared for, with medication (high blood pressure medication), reduced salt intake, and probably losing weight. Ever since we returned from Vegas, I've been urging him to get back to losing weight, and this seems to have pushed him to do that. So he's getting back on Whole 30, and I will participate when we're eating together.
Ironically, I was talking with my mom, who herself has lost and kept off quite a bit of weight, saying how I've mostly given up carbs and sugar, but I won't give up my salt (yet) or caffeine. And now Mr. Donkey will most likely need to reduce his salt. Needless to say, Mrs. Donkey (me) is not too thrilled, but realizes that she needs to be supportive.
While my husband's health issues are not caused by excess weight, it seems as though every doctor's recommendation to him has included "... and lose weight."
Tomorrow, I'm taking time off of work in the afternoon to take Mr. Donkey to the doctor to discuss the results of the test, what he needs to do now, and probably a referral to a cardiologist.
Progress as of today: 62.5 lbs lost so far, only -12.5 lbs to go!
remember one thing...you CAN enjoy your food still. you can always add your salt on after it's made? since i'm sure you will not use too much anyways...
most of Mr. Donkey's diet is really YOUR DIET as it is now...if he were smart he could eat like you.
i urge you not to change your diet too much to support him because you DO eat healthy now.
really, i want to say it's Mr. Donkey that NEEDS TO CHANGE.
there's a lot of studies that say weightloss doesn't change overall health, but, i'd even more support your husband changing is diet a little bit and adding in some exercise - even home exercise.
and YOU keep being you. You are doing great, Jdonk!
I have lots of little things to do today, which I am looking forward to doing: walking, laundry, library, shopping (OK, this maybe not so much), reading, maybe some baking. I have a recipe for keto gingerbread, and I would love my house to smell of gingerbread this weekend, but we'll see.
I was inspired by something someone said to me yesterday. The office manager for the business that occupies the 1st floor of the building I work in (a converted 2-story farmhouse) had weight-loss surgery about 2 years ago. Her journey, while different than mine, has been amazing to witness. As she has had some illness lately, I wanted to know if she had passed her goal weight, and she has, because she wasn't able to eat much during her illnesses. She has a new "goal" weight, but she said that if she stayed at where she's at, she'd be fine with that.
She's lost about 100lbs, maybe a little more, so obviously, loose skin is an issue. I mentioned to her that I once belonged to an online group where a lady who had lost about 100lbs on her own had reconstructive surgery a few months after reaching her goal weight (arms, tummy, breast), and it kind of messed her up emotionally (body-image, motivation, etc.). So I was asking THIS lady where she is at with considering surgery. She knows it's a real possibility in her future, but she said to me, "These past 2 years have been working on building a new body. I'm looking at 2019 as a year to "remodel" with toning and weight training to take care of the loose skin, and then I'll re-evaluate."
WOW - I LOVE IT! And I love this for myself! I think this is where I might be at, especially since surgery is NOT a realistic possibility for me, unless I win a lottery. IDK maybe I should have surgery on my inner thighs and knees, and just be done with my body issues. I can't see paying $8000 out of pocket for that; I'd have to do some kind of credit or financing option, and I do NOT want to take on any debt, especially for something like this.
But I might be better served by looking at my next goal as a "remodeling" project, rather than a numbers game. I'm already brainstorming what this might mean, and for starters, I think it might mean only weighing in 1x a month. I think that would be OK and doable. IDK I'm going to think about this. I'm rather *excited* about this!!!
Progress as of today: 62.5 lbs lost so far, only -12.5 lbs to go!
it takes so long to learn to "fit" your new body...and surgery i agree with her...is when she's already more comfortable with herself in and out. :) love it!
I could have gone into work early today, but instead, I am taking some time for myself by reading and posting here.
I really need this weekend to re-charge. My mood and my attitude have been down in the dumps this week. We change the clocks here this weekend; I am so looking forward to getting an extra hour of sleep. I really NEED to make an EFFORT to take advantage of that. In the past, I've squandered that extra hour by staying up reading or watching TV. So I'm going to try very hard to maybe even go to bed a little earlier than usual.
I am bracing for a weight gain this week. Although I've done better with food, I've been using my wedding band as a gage, and every morning this week, it's felt tighter rather than looser.
PS Comment to Graindart: If you hadn't mentioned this in your own entry, I might not have taken the time to look at my own progress chart. It *IS* rather nice to see my chart, with a gentle slope downward. Every pound lost is truly a batte won at this point.
Progress as of today: 61 lbs lost so far, only -11 lbs to go!
the extra hr i look forward to also.
sleeping TONS now. and it feels good.
I "slept in" this morning until 6:55am and woke up with a headache. Not sure if it's caffeine related (because I drank my 1st cup of coffee at 7am rather than at 5am) or sinuses or what.
I'll have to check into the FB thing. I'm sorry about that, I too am not sure what happened.
Just writing to document that SOMEONE AT WORK IS EATING MY CHEESE STICKS!
I have a package of those individually wrapped cheese sticks (string cheese, I guess) for protein snacks. At first, I thought, wow, I've been eating a lot of cheese...? But yesterday, there were only 3 sticks left, and I know that on Monday, when I took one, I left 7 of them in the package.
My boss thought that was so funny. What these people don't realize is that I depend on this food, sometimes, for emergency back-ups. Like yesterday, lunch was kind of lame, but I told myself that I had cheese sticks to back me up, if lunch wouldn't hold me. It was the same thing with the frozen veggie burger that someone threw out.
So not only was yesterday emotionally difficult, and then occupationally difficult -- everyone wanted to argue about everything, but then I had to deal with my food issue as well. What the heck?
I think days like yesterday are another sign from Above that I have to get my things in order and move on.
Progress as of today: 61 lbs lost so far, only -11 lbs to go!
my body notices 2lbs (actual pounds) of fat added...so i'll be working on eating less as my exercise cannot be shifted too much more as i fit in what i can already. :)
with the eating, remember, a little change is all you need.
for me, i know why...too many sweets added throughout the workdays.
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Your foods look GREAT.....lots of nutrients there, protein, calcium..........I'm surprised that you have to work today. I've been eating the Fage 0% because of WW....and also a lot of grapes.....today I added blueberries...but I'm going to branch out and add some other fruits...and mix them in.....loads of good things there!!!
happy-1 on 11/12/2018:
Watch the decaf for the chemicals and the creamer for the chemicals and trans fats. Think about coconut oil with cinnamon and stevia for a healthier creamer
I hear you on the creamers, but right now, I'm not fighting that battle. You're 100% right, though.
graindart on 11/12/2018:
I'm with you on lack of motivation to work today. I'm always like this when I know other people have the day off.
Yes, that must be it. I agree!
Horn_of_plenty on 11/12/2018:
I haven't had cottage cheese in a long time...it's sooooo good!
How is the collagen working out for you?
Lunch sounds great, great idea with the squash and beans!
great eats!!!!!!!!
I love the foamy-ness that the collagen adds to my coffee, but I haven't seen any visible improvement with my hair. And for the expense that the collagen cost, I do not think I will be buying another batch.
Also, for the same reason above, I am not going to buy any more hair/skin/nails gummy vitamins any more either. After about a year of buying these, again, no improvement in hair or nails. I think my nail problems are seasonal: in the winter they peel and chip so easily. My hair... well, I think I need something stronger. Going to discuss options when I meet with my new PCP in January.
Horn_of_plenty on 11/12/2018:
lately i've been enjoying decaf as a nice snack also. usually on my commute home i stop into 7-eleven and get a decaf with a flavored creamer! :) just like you!
Horn_of_plenty on 11/14/2018:
yes, if you see literally no change in a year, why continue!