Good morning! It is gray and cloudy, rather misty or moist in the air. Even though it's a little on the darker, "gloomy" side, I'll take it! The snow continues to melt away.
I think I did OK with eat yesterday, BUT definitely had more carbs than usual. For lunch, I had a seasoned combo of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots (Birdseye). Then for dinner, I had a larger serving of French bread which I used to soak up a lot of juice from the leftover Italian beef we had. I'm OK with this - I think - because yesterday was my "relax" day on calories AND I also went to the gym with my daughter, in addition to my bike rides at home.
Not only was I exercising more, but overall, I was quite busy. I pushed myself to finish everything on my list yesterday. This is why I like to have these lists, because it helps me get things done. The only thing from my "To Do" list I didn't get accomplished was getting the late birthday cards out in the mail. I could not get Husband and Daughter to sign until after the mail came. I will finish preparing the cards today, and mail them from work tomorrow. They are already late, so a couple of more days won't make much difference overall. There was a lot more laundry than I thought. I ended up doing 2 extra loads.
I did the treadmill at the gym - so much nicer than the one I have at home - and my daughter showed me how to use the lower body and ab machines that she uses at the gym. I think I feel comfortable enough to try to use some of the upper body machines on my own. I may go back to the gym this afternoon. My daughter just left to go this morning, because she works this afternoon.
My husband had NO DIFFICULTY with his 2nd vaccine shot yesterday. The procedure was much more efficient this time. He continued to struggle with his GI issues yesterday (not related to the vaccine). I was SO surprised when he woke up this morning and felt OK. His shoulders are quite achy this morning, but this could be part of his disease - it's not unusual for him to wake up with his upper back/neck/shoulders feeling like they are on fire. Let's see how the rest of his day goes, but this is a postive sign, to me. Today will be a quieter day anyway, with Daughter at work, and me resting a bit more from my hectic day yesterday.
I just realized that today is the last day of this morning, so tomorrow starts a new month! Looking at my stats this morning, I lost approximately 2 pounds, even with my wonky weigh-ins and my unpredictable scale.
So this is the month that I want to work on eating. I touched on this at the beginning of February and struggled with it. I'd like to try again, with a stronger mindset. Things I've identified:
Coffee's comment to Horn about eating peacefully startled me - kind of made me "wake up" to where I'm at. I definitely do not eat peacefully. Most of my eating is either a rush to get through it, a diversion to cope with stress at work, and/or a struggle with choices, with overeating. Way too much conflict, not enough peace.
To Do:
Progress as of today: 41.5 lbs lost so far, only 10 lbs to go!
I had trouble getting a consistent reading on my scale again. So I used my other 0.2 scale, which usually weighs me in a pound heavier, and that's how I came up with 145.0 - which was one of the readings I got on my regular scale.
I expected this number, maybe even higher, as I had some eating problems yesterday. In a word, chocolate. I have GOT to stay away from the food at work. I know where I failed, I know what I need to do. IT'S THE EATING.
I'm surprised I had enough time to write here today, before taking my husband to the VA hospital for COVID shot #2. Let me tell you what I've seen so far in folks I know:
My Mom: she had been experiencing an allergic reaction (rash) right before she had shot #2. No reaction to shot #1, other than a slightly sore arm, which I think is expected out of ANY shot. The day of shot #2, she was fine. The next day, she woke up and felt like she had been hit by a truck. She tried to go for her morning walk and was too woozy to do so. She came home, went to bed, finally had some broth soup for dinner, and slept some more. The next morning, she woke up 100% fine and resumed her daily routine, which starts with an outdoor walk/jog.
Male Co-Worker: Had no reaction to shot #1, other than a sore arm. Not dealing with anything else beforehand. Had shot #2 and went home. The next day, he came to work and said he felt fine, but his knees felt a little achy. By 3:30pm he was feeling VERY achy and couldn't think straight. He went home early and went to bed. An hour or 2 later, he woke up with a fever. Sweat it out, slept some more, woke up the day after and felt fine, came to work, put in a full day.
Now my husband had no reaction to shot #1 other than a sore arm. He has been dealing with some internal GI problems - feeling like his lower guts are on fire. Will he have a bad reaction, like my mom, because he's also battling something else? We shall see.
Things to Do Today:
I got a jump start on chores by mopping all the floors last night. They just could not wait other day. Also, I filled my birdfeeders on Friday, so they are still OK.
Progress as of today: 41.5 lbs lost so far, only 10 lbs to go!
A sore arm is common.
Having a bit of chocolate sounds ok to me !
Btw I had a challenge tonight staying within calories when I got into a snacky situation but the way I’ve mostly been eating better is to eat the foods I crave, with veggies and sometimes without
My mom had a bad reaction to her second shot only. Fever and chills lasting longer than 24 hours. My dad was fine.
I hope your hubby doesn’t get a reaction but he might
You’ve got a lot done so far. -
I woke up only a few minutes earlier, but wow, I got so much done efficiently that I have time to write here, using my laptop!
Yesterday, I did better with eating at dinner, but did have a snack around 10:30am and again at 3:30p. All of it nutritious food, but maybe I still ate too much. Had a big orange and a few walnuts in the morning, and then Fiber One and a big apple at 3:30p. I think if I want to know how much I'm actually eating, I'm going to have to weigh & measure and calorie count. That will involve some preparation ahead of time. I won't necessarily have to do a week of work meals, but I would need to take precious time from the evening before, at least, to do this ahead of time, because I don't always have extra time in the mornings!
Last night, I told myself that I loved weight training, and did upper body weights: shoulders, bi & tricepts, back, and chest. Keep in mind that it's usually 3 sets of 1-2 exercises per muscle group, because - in all honest - I don't really like weight training at all. Still, I found it immensely helpful to have the mindset of "I love weights" to get me started and to finish to completion.
With my extra time this morning, I was able to hop onto the treadmill and walked a mile. I was little discouraged with my Fitbit yesterday, because I felt that the step count was too low. Funny thing, when I have an awesome morning bike ride - extra distance, extra calories - my step count on the Fitbit seems to be lower than usual. I cleaned the device with rubbing alcohol last night, and sometimes that helps.
We'll see what today brings. At least it's Friday -- woo hoo!!!!!
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
Never crazy about weight training & always feeling guilty because we have a terrific home gym. I’m really into it now, but quit every 5 years, on the average.
well, other than the fit bit, you are the one who knows best if you are doing enough cardio!
Happy Friday!
Ate too much for dinner again, I'm afraid. Most of it was salad and raw vegetables, but I also had 2 slices of sausage and pepperoni pizza - a frozen pizza that Husband adds his own pepperoni and extra cheese to.
So if the scale is higher on Saturday, I know exactly why.
The appointment with the insurance guy took longer than we thought so I did not do upper body weights last night. I will do them tonight.
I've noticed for SURE yesterday that I am wanting to eat at around 10:30a at work. It's happened every day this week, and yesterday, I realized that this is becoming a pattern. I've been dealing with it by eating something - usually fruit - from the food I bring with me for the workday.
I guess I'm like Bear - I just like to eat. I like it a lot!
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
I love to eat too! Once we make something a habit (like my popcorn) it's hard to break, but can be done.
So many things I have given up since age 30 to stay on the thin side. Very difficult at times, often more so as the years roll by, but my choice for better health.
next time try for one slice of pizza...fruit for dessert?...try to limit the size of the thing that is high calorie...
i like to eat also....if the fruit at work doesn't satisfy you at 10:30...you can also try the cup of coffee / small chocolate or cup of coffee / cheese stick or protein something small at work...
honestly though, i'm finding carbs help me at work, especially in the AM when i'm tired.
I'm leaving work early today so that I can meet with an insurance agent to see if I can get on a better plan that doesn't cost as much. That is to say, I have a good plan that costs too much. YUCK. Well, at least I get to leave work a little early.
I think I ate too much at dinner. I was not "stuffed" but I know my portions were not good. Husband made shrimp with various sauces, and it was delicious. Oh well, had a longer bike ride last night and did a couple of leg weights. I know you can't out-exercise a bad diet. Damn...
Male Co-Worker is getting his 2nd COVID shot today. He is the first in our office to do so. I will let you know his reaction. Nice Lady got her first shot yesterday. She left early, so I don't know how it went for her. My Husband gets his 2nd shot on Saturday.
My mom got her 2nd shot a couple of weeks ago. I have not told anyone about her reaction yet, until I have other stories to compare. She is glad she has been vaccinated.
EVENING UPDATE: So I met with the insurance guy, who readjusted my account on the Market Place (Obamacare), and what I pay went way down.
My Boss brought in pastries again!!! WTH!!!! Some kind of cherry almond coffee cake, scones, and something else in a separate bag. We were discussing with him how he abuses his staff, and I said that the pressure to eat these breakfast desserts was just too much for any one person to endure.
Speaking of which, we're getting new pictures of the staff for our firm's website. I am in DESPERATE need of a haircut. And I don't wear makeup any more because of the facemask. Lipstick would be useless and messy, and face powder would just get all clumpy and gooey under the mask.
My daughter says that my hair looks nice long. It's either keep it this way or find a way to get into Great Clips for my $10 haircut somehow. They've changed their protocol for appointments, and it's just overwhelming to me to figure out how that works. Everything is an app on the phone these days...
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
Yes,they are always raising their rates. I hope you can save some, let us know.
My condo insurance document was revised, no price change, and it all went well, as well!
I've been eating a bit much at lunch, like a real full meal...but i always get sooo tired after full meals...it's so frustrating. i've had this problem as long as i can remember, even in high school when i started having larger meals. but i'm not changing anything, but it's nice to have a filling meal and feel satisfied at work.
my mom got some bad reactions to her shot on Tuesday. muscle aches and fever. hopefully she gets better soon!
how was your mom's reaction? some people get a reaction and some do not.
I've been on Obamacare for a couple of years. I'm very healthy, and my doctor takes the insurance. I'm quite lucky as long as I stay out of the ER.
I don't even know what to say about yesterday. Overwhelming, I think is the word. Not only did I have extra work to do at home, before work, to prepare for the cleaning lady, but work was just a bundle of negative energy. Around noon, I said to Male Co-Worker that it felt like the whole morning was one big fight. He agreed. I said to my Boss at the end of the day that he dealt with a lot of complaining and conflict. He agreed.
Definitely not an oasis of positive energy.
Today, the title company is treating us to a surprise lunch. We do not know what the sales rep will be bringing us. So I'm bringing my own salad and fruit so that, if lunch is unhealthy, I'll have that to fall back on.
Had yoga last night and really enjoyed it. I felt just a slight pang of anxiety leading up to the class. Performance anxiety? I enjoyed the class, while listening to both my husband and daughter is their respective rooms, talking over the internet with their friends. How lucky am I?
I hope to either use the treadmill or weight train tonight.
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
sorry it was that way..
great you brought your own healthy sides. you can now have prob a little of anything the title company brings...along with your lunch! that's good! that's exactly what i'd do!
so glad you got in yoga. tonight is upper bod only for me - so glad i skip lower body on tuesdays, it's just too much to live up to..so i just skip it tuesdays.
Good morning! I went to bed before 10pm and yet still slept in. I feel a lot more rested this morning. It was the 2nd night of melatonin and 2nd night of the new mattress. Plus, I just didn't have to get up early. I might also be catching up on some quality sleep. Whatever it is, I'll take it!
I was very busy yesterday, got most everything done on my list. The only 2 remainint things that carried over:
Yes, I even did treadmill and upper body weights. I also did some leg exercises!
Today I plan to relax a little. I would still like to walk on the treadmill, while watching TV for a little. I'll be active with the box cutting and walking out into the backyard. I plan to give myself a facial peel this afternoon. I've trimmed and filed my nails
We are expecting a wet, heavy snow this evening, stopping around midnight. So there is some shoveling in my near future, I'm afraid. I'm thinking I will need to wake up early tomorrow to get everything done that needs to get done before putting in a full day of work at the office. NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
So my new plan of attack - inspired by something Bear said - to handle temptations at the office is this: If there is a pastry that I would like to indulge in, I will save it for my "relaxed" eating day of Saturday, possibly Sunday. I have always taken this approach to eating during my weight loss journey. And by "relaxed", I don't mean go off the deep end, but rather, I can eat a little more carbs, indulge a little more. For example, yesterday, I had 1/2 (and the last) of a lemon bar - and those are now gone.
This day is Saturday, because it's after weigh-in. I also relax a little bit on Sundays, but by Monday, I need to remind myself that it's back to being on point. Anything can wait until Saturday; there's nothing that needs to get eaten immediately, when it comes to things like that.
I don't feel that by relaxing a little bit on Saturdays, that I'm sabotaging my overall efforts. However, perhaps I am, because I'm not making much progress towards my goal. My body fat % is around 30%, even with the weight training. I wonder if it would be easier for me to eat less, if I did less cardio, in order to lose weight. What do you think?
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
I don't find that I eat more the more cardio I do, or less when I do less.
It's tough to behave at work when people bring in goodies. I've worked in a couple of offices where people were always bringing in something to share.
what kind of mattress did you get? i'm guessing quite firm? i love a firm mattress.
i've got a box cutter too..it's a must have in these amazon / home delivery days! :)
facial peel sounds nice! i have so many facial masks at home, to just have them sitting around wasting away. they were all bought in 2019!
it could be easier for you to eat less with less cardio in that if you are like me, after a do a lot of cardio (like a 3mi walk), i will feel very "low" on my energy especially if i didn't eat right before it. i will want carbs after the walk...and i have learned that by having a snack after the walk right away, then i can feel better and not have to "overindulge." for instance, when i was volunteering and i would be very hungry before lunch, in my car i'd snack on a small 100cal granola bar or a couple chocolates. i do this to curb my hunger. not sure if this relates anymore to your question...
oh, back to your question, when i'm very inactive is when i sometimes have less appetite and can eat less...sometimes when i have to do a workout, i have to eat a little more (in my mind, i feel that way) either after or before for the energy to work out.
HOWEVER, in regards to your question, i do not think it'd be easier for you to eat MUCH less...just a little....
but with weight loss, the saying is it's 80% in the kitchen 20% exercise...
i mean, if i had office temptations continuously, i am quite sure i'd be taking some...to eat whenever I MYSELF chose to.
when i do NOT sleep enough, i will def be more hungry.
when i do not sleep enough, i have a greater tendency to eat more calories, be hungrier, and make poorer choices.
Good morning! I'm glad I put my scale out last night, because otherwise, I'm not sure I would have remembered to weigh in today. I had problems again getting a consistent number. If I step on the scale on my right foot - with more stability and thus, more gingerly - I got 144.0. If I stepped on the scale with my left foot, more clumsily, then I was getting 145.5, 146.0... Finally, the last 2 step-ons the scale said 144.5 so that's what I'm going with.
That's essentialy the same as last week. I verified this by taking the average of all weigh-ins, which came out to 144.8. Darn, that's disappointing!
My husband is still having a lot of GI issues, so that is pretty much dominating my day, helping him manage his pain and symptoms, but that doesn't mean that I don't have a LOT to do today. We got a new mattress yesterday, so there's all of that to clean up after. Plus, the floors were in a state of decline since Monday, so those are getting mopped today. Also, we have a primary ballot to vote on this weekend (early voting - election on Tuesday), and I'm dragging my whole family to vote out the current tax assessor. This election just determines who will be on the ballot in April.
I'm afraid it won't be a very relaxing weekend for me, it seems.
I just finished my peanut butter breakfast wrap, and I'm already wanting lunch. This is not a good sign.
I don't think I've been sleeping well at all this week. Part of that might be the need for a new mattress. Also, the stress of having a symptomatic husband in pain all the time has not been easy to live with. Another problem, I ran out of melatonin, a herbal supplement to help me sleep, and while I didn't have visible problems falling asleep, I have woken up every day this week feeling EXHAUSTED. Funny thing too, because for the most part, my Fitbit has said that I've been getting really good sleep scores.
Last night, when I went to the pharmacy to pick up husband's new prescription, I picked up more melatonin. I took some last night, woke up exhausted. But I'm hoping that resuming the melatonin will help me get better sleep in the long run.
Things to do:
Progress as of today: 42 lbs lost so far, only 9.5 lbs to go!
This has sparked an idea for a new approach. I want to think about this today.
Can you vote by mail? We did in last year’s primary and general elections. The voting registrar just sent forms to be submitted if we wish to continue with the absentee ballots. Never liked standing in line at that big church down the road.
So sorry to hear about your husband. Chronic conditions are a bit*ch.
I wasn't even aware that we have the election on Tuesday. It came up so quick! It would be too late to vote by mail for this one, since it's only 3 days away. This is the primary, for candidates to get onto the ballot for the general election in April.
Because this is a smaller election, it was very quick and easy.
Good plans for the day.
Today was so "special" that it's getting 2 posts. I'm so disappointed in myself today, with eating. So I am putting this day behind me as soon as possible and going to bed early.
The Boss brings in these damn pastries from the bakery every freakin' week. This week it was these HUGE peanut butter cookies, a chocolate chip coffee cake, and HUGE scones the size of my hand. I had been doing well to resist but today, for some really strange reason, I caved in and had the chocolate scone. I thought I'd just have a small piece and save the rest for later or tomorrow. But one piece led to another and another and another. Before I knew it, almost 3/4 of the scone was gone! I threw away the rest, but the scone just sat heavy in my stomach.
Scones have a lot of fat in them, plus the chocolate... IDK, I know what's done is done. No sense in beating myself up about it, which is why I'm going to bed soon. Just - darn it, I was doing so well this week, and then to go blow it on something so cheap and hollow like this.
Progress as of today: 41.5 lbs lost so far, only 10 lbs to go!
listen above to Granny annie also.
you can only do better by learning, over and over, from lower points. this can only help you.
I didn't mention this but on Tuesday, the Boss left at 4:30p, and I decided right then and there that I was leaving at 4:45p - which I did! I can't tell you what a difference that made. Not so much with the timing, but mentally it was so refreshing to leave work behind a little early. I came home, had a small glass of wine, spoke with Husband as he finished up making dinner and we waited for Daughter together. Not rushed, very relaxed.
I must remember to tap the door frame at work when I leave. I wish it were that easy to leave work at work, or to give up stress for Lent, but it is worth trying!
I hope that doesn't mean that I can't share work stories though. Yesterday's stupid was when Mistakes Girl and Male Co-Worker didn't know what the word "reiterates" meant.
I intended to do lower body weights last night but got caught up with my chores and forgot. By the time I realized this, I was already upstairs, ready to begin my bedtime routine. So I will do weights tonight.
It's OK because I stayed up too late looking at various manicures on Facebook marketplace, and woke up later and tired.
Had 1/4 lemon bar last night, no chocolate. Did well with eating. I can visibly tell that some of the bloat in my middle is gone. Much more comfortable too.
Progress as of today: 41.5 lbs lost so far, only 10 lbs to go!
I don't know how I managed to always do workouts at home or gym when I still worked! I guess it was just habit and that was the only time to do it. Now I can't even do it in the afternoon - has to be mornings.
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Glad hubby had no trouble with his vaccine.
Do you have to wear a mask in the gym? I really do miss mine and all the machines.
We've got a red squirrel that climbs on our bird feeders and eats the nuts.
Eating slowly and mindfully is a good way to do it.
Because Illinois rates are down, they are back to wearing a mask until you are at your station. Then you can take your mask off to exercise. I wrote my mask the whole time. There were a couple of other older folks like me, who also wrote their masks the whole time.
Sadly, in the weight training section, I did not see many masks at all Social distancing was difficult too. If I knew what I was doing with the machines, I would have been in and out much quicker.
coffee&calories on 02/28/2021:
I relate to sooo much of your food woes. Like so much. Especially the offerings at work. If it’s delicious, available and free, I have a hard time not indulging. More so if it’s in a place that can have stress too (like work for example) I really want that food comfort to de-stress. With a coffee. It’s how my brain tells me I’ll be relaxed and happy.
Coffee and a sweet at around 3p is my weak zone. I've just got to find an alternative to stop myself. I don't know if that means stepping away, a prayer, a short walk. Sometimes I've been able to stop myself by grabbing a Diet Coke. That doesn't always work though.
thinkpositive on 02/28/2021:
I hear you about the carbs. For me low carbs is around 100 carbs. I
That's about right. When I was doing keto, getting adjusted to that lower level was difficult but I got through it. I could not maintain that because I like fruits too much, plus sweet potatoes. Beans, too.
thinkpositive on 02/28/2021:
I hear you about the carbs. For me low carbs is around 100 carbs. I
bearcountrygg on 02/28/2021:
Good to hear that hubby is feeling fine......Back around 2000....work food totally undid what I had worked so hard to lose.....i hear you.
Thank you!
horn_of_plenty on 02/28/2021:
One thing I do is with the larger serving of the carbs I also have lessened my servings of protein abs know I told you about that ...
Sometimes I get on my own nerves with my lists too and hate that I have so much coming up and feel like I cannot escape my own list !
How will you prepare the eggplant ?
I plan to write back to you and coffee (coffee is a good writer in making her points well understood!) but I can’t do it now bc I’m not in the mindset to think so much at 10pm before bed ....but I do plan sometime to get back to you both in one of my entries. You both gave me things to consider - I’m such an introvert I’m not sure I could do a daily YouTube but it seems so reasonable....and appropriate with not too much competition .... in order to do anything we must make it thru the uncomfortable like being on camera when we just want to relax ....things to think about.
You might feel more comfortable writing things down rather than a video blog. Then that could become your book, eventually, if you wanted to go down that path. Either way, the idea is to get your insights and thoughts organized, and then decide if you want to share them. We've been warned that DD won't be forever, due to the changing technology.
I slice up the eggplant, into 3/4 inch slices (approximately - thinner will cook faster). I spray non-stick spray on a cookie sheet, but you could use a better pan or maybe a light coat of oil. I sprayed the slices and then seasoned. I usually use oregano, salt, pepper and sprinkle parmesean cheese. Sometimes I use "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning. Yesterday, I used some garlic and onion powders, and salt. Cook for 30 minutes (more or less) in a 350 oven. Thinner slices might not need as long. I don't remove the peel; that's where all the vitamins are, plus fiber.