Another Weight Loss Story: yada, yada, yada...

Good Saturday morning.  Last night the sirens roared but the storms weren't really close enough to us for that, in my opinion.  The threat was south of us but the entire region was put on alert, I understand that.  It was nice to open the window after the rain had stopped blowing in and feel the fresh air and smell the rain for a wonderful nights sleep.  It has been a stressful week with The Hubby spending his days at the hospital with his mother.  She is still there doing some occupational and physical therapy.  They cannot get her blood pressure under control and that is very concerning.  She has a feeding tube in her nose but I think they will be taking that out and putting one in directly to her stomach because she can't swallow yet.  She is communicating which is very encouraging but it is still a very long rocky road that won't get much better.  The boys, her boys, met with the hospital staff on Thursday evening about what is happening and today they go to meet with Montereau, the place where she lives in independent living.  The independent living will be no more so they have to look into assisted living or the nursing home part which is so very sad.  I just hate that for her.  The boys are just exhausted physically and mentally, I've totally been there with Daddy and Momma.  All we can do for them is support, talk, feed them, hug them.

On another note, the dieting thing.  I've been doing the Jorge Cruise 100 thing and so far 9 pounds down since Tuesday.  I already feel so much better and it's been pretty easy.  I have the same thing to eat everyday and that has made my life easy, not to constantly be thinking of food, buying food, planning meals...  I needed it to be very strict to get started.  This next week the evening meals will be changed up so I can include The Hubby in the food but he's just fine with that.  He said he would eat anything I put in front of him.  I can do this!!!

Thursday Musings

 Good morning, how's it going in your world this fine Thursday morning.  My week is kind of bumpy and feels a bit disruptive but I can deal.  Monday was work at the office to check out the new printer that the girls set up.  The old one last week bit the dust and when I get a new one it also causes me to have to readjust all my printing needs.  By the way, the printer is AWESOME!  

I did workout on Monday morning with Af and the trainer but it was hard going and I just ended up walking the whole time.  I had not taken any Aleve for several days because of an upcoming doctor's appointment and bloodwork and I didn't want to skew the results, so I was in pain.  Tuesday was a day at the easel, not too successful but it was painting and that is what makes me very happy.  Then I had to rush off to the accountant to get our employees W-2's and quarter ends financial stuff.  This all meant that I didn't workout.  I'm really having a hard time trying to work all that back into my life again.  It was so easy before, to have exercise be the first thing I did in the morning, but this trainer doesn't get started till the middle of the day and I just can't seem to make that work for me.  It cuts into my painting time and I'm not too keen on that.  I did get back on my stationary bike on Tuesday for 5 minutes, which is a big deal for a gal who has a hip that doesn't work right anymore.  

Yesterday, Wednesday, was an 8 am doctor appointment.  I was not looking forward to stepping on the scale, not at all.  I have been tracking my food on NOOM and My Fitness Pal, in the free part, calories, and the scale is NOT BUDGING.  I am trying to be very truthful in logging, even with maybe drinking a cola or a handful of Cheez-Its, and that, I'm sure is why it is not budging.  I'm staying between 1,000-1,300 calories a day.  Salmon, cabbage soup, quinoa and over-easy eggs, lots of good food, organic, homemade food.  I'm sure when I move more it will start taking effect.  Today I know I'm supposed to go to the trainer again at 11:30 but, again, that taps into my time at the easel and I AM NOT HAPPY about that.  I'm trying to figure it all out so I can make myself happy.  I know that the exercise is what I need for my body but the easel is what I need for my mind!  Yesterday I thought I would make it to the easel but it was not to be.  I ended up at the office and my desk was absolutely knee deep in invoicing, mail, tax stuff.  I couldn't leave I had to get it done or I would be there all weekend trying to play catch-up.  By the time I was at a point that I was close to leaving The Hubby went to get us lunch and I could not say no to a greasy cheeseburger and onion rings.  Cheeseburgers are my all time favorite food, that would be a big FAT yes and I totally ate it.  My danger place is to be out at lunchtime, especially if I'm driving and have control whether my mind can say no!  Yesterday I had no choice because I had fasted for the bloodwork and was ravenous and was still delving deep into paperwork with a bit more to go.  I needed steady fingers to type the rest of the invoices.  By the time I left I was ready for a nap because I had been awake tossing and turning in bed from 3 to 5am when the alarm went off.  Sometimes I just don't sleep well and Tuesday night was that.  Oh, and the bloodwork came back awesome.  For a fat girl my cholesterol, triglycerides, etc., levels are all in the perfect ranges.  I couldn't be happier for that and it tells me I'm still okay, but I do worry about my glucose levels.  Right now they are all within the range of good but, my mother became diabetic, as were many of my grandparents, and I don't want to go there.  I know weight plays a huge part in that so that is one reason to lose the weight.  I did talk to the doctor about the horrible ortho visit with the idiot hip doctor telling me I was too fat and barely looked at my pain and how that visit really made me feel, but also glad I didn't push it because with Daddy passing I could not have managed it all and surgery/rehab.  He did set me up to visit a podiatrist about my ankle/foot/short leg issues.  He recommended to see about getting a lift in my shoe to help with my walking and I'm totally on board with that even if it means UGLY shoes.  Right now that is making things so much worse on my back and knees, wobbling and uneven in my gait.

Today I know there is a workout at 11:30 but my desire to hit the easel is too overwhelming.  I also have to go to the office YET AGAIN as many large checks have come in and I have to deposit them.  Tomorrow is payroll and there will be an all day invoicing typing day again as he finishes the billing cycle.  GOOD GRIEF, I am so ready to retire and be done with this business thing, he is too.  I also have to start in March I think signing up with Medicare!!!  Yup, it is that time of life and I'm a bit scared to start the process but I will.  There is still a possibly that we will still keep working a bit longer than expected because of a job we're on but The Hubby is not sure about any of it.  This really is a hard place to be in our life and not sure how to get off the self-employed merry-go-round but we will get through it.  

Neverending Meal Planning!!!

Is anyone else having trouble trying to come up with meal ideas.

Since we are trying to only eat takeout food once during the week THAT means I'm trying to meal plan CONSTANTANTLY.  OMG, this is making me crazy, especially when I'm also trying to diet meal plan.  The photo above is my new obsession of quinoa with vegetables and two over-easy eggs.  Can't seem to get enough of this stuff.  BUT, that's a lunch thing when I'm home.  I need more ideas for to-go food besides a package of lunchmeat.  I want, need to have it easy to grab and go.  I spend so much time on planning dinner that I don't want to think too hard on the lunch options.  But I regress, my problem right now is being creative in dinner planning.  I'm also trying to not eat so much red meat but I left with a lot of chicken and I don't want to have chicken every meal.  I also do try to do salmon once a week too.  Tonight we are going to have crab cakes, tomorrow night spaghetti with salad.  I think Friday we will do peel-n-eat shrimp at the cabin which leaves Saturday night.  I have so many cookbooks you would think I could just cook something out of them but I just don't use cookbooks anymore, which is why I'm getting ready to purge most of them.  I'm just rambling here about food that seems to be constantly on my mind.  You know it's the role of my marriage that I have, the meal prepper and I don't want to do it anymore.  It just makes me want to eat all the time. 

I haven't been, actually, I've been really good last week and so far this week.  But you know what the damn scale has not budged one damn ounce.  I am eating about 1200 calories a day and it is the same every single day I step on it.  What the hell is up with that.  Goodness I have gone off on a tangent.  

I have got to get a move on with my day.

 

My Week In Review

Finally got to sit at my easel on Thursday and I'm quite pleased with what I was able to do.

I was going to work on the self-portrait thing but being gone so long I needed to go back to my first love, flowers.  I was also able to finally see my studio partner.  I haven't seen her since probably the first of November.  She and I have been very socially distanced so no worries there and she has her own space and I have mine but it was so nice to sit a ways from each other and catch up on our lives.  I miss my friends and conversation, in person conversation.  

While in this damn pandemic thing I've written before about no workout and the food thing and the diet thing...yadda, yadda, yadda, but here we go again.

This past week I started back with working out with a trainer and Af.  Just us two so that was fun.  I do struggle because of my hip and knees and the weight.  Honestly I haven't gained since this lockdown thing has happened, thank goodness, but it's definitely not gone down.  So a little exercise and I'm also tracking my food on some food apps and sticking to 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day.  I must say it's not been too hard either.  It keeps me focused a bit.  I did the NOOM app, the paid version I think March, just as the world shut down.  I was not in the right frame of mind, scared, stuck at home with food and the television.  The paid version of the app you are put with a support person and frankly, they drove me crazy with texts/emails, nagging me constantly and I don't need that.  I KNOW what I should and shouldn't eat, I don't need someone over my shoulder smacking my virtual hand.  This time I chose to only do the free version and I like it.  Hey, The Hubby had to have KFC last night and I was honest and put it in my app and guess what, I was only about 100 calories over.  I can deal with that.  So far the scale has NOT nudged one ounce down but I know it will eventually because I feel a bit different in the "fat content" in my body every morning.  I just have to keep plugging away with it and trust it will work if I'm careful.  

Before the end of the year at the office I was able to put the PPP loan forgiveness papers to bed with the bank and hopefully that will be all taken care of!  First thing off my plate.  Then I tackled the rest of Daddy's estate and was able to disburse most of it to my siblings and myself.  Now we are just waiting for the ONG refund to totally close out his checking about and disburse the rest of it.  It only a few hundred dollars.  This month is also gathering the year end 4th quarter stuff for the company and I wrapped that up and took to the accountant yesterday!  

Lastly, and the one thing I have fought with The Hubby about time and time again is possibly selling our business.  We are having a battle over that.  This next summer we hope to be done, finished, close the doors and totally retired, hopefully.  After nearly 42 years in business we are both done.  I want to just close the doors, sell off the equipment, tools, vehicles, etc.  Call it done.  Oh no, he wants to find a buyer for the thing.  That too would sell off all of the stuff mentioned above plus the customer list.  But, a big BUT, this means I have to gather all kinds of financial info, he does too (inventory) and then deal with one of those companies who finds buyers.  We had a meeting in November with one, against all of my hesitation about it all.  He pushed and pushed and pushed until I just said okay I will meet with them but they knew up front I was not on board with this process.  Yesterday I finally finished gathering up my part of the info to put with The Hubby's stuff and Monday we will turn it in and see what happens.  My thoughts, and I bluntly shared them with the gentlemen, is that our business would not be a business, a successful business without this man sitting here (pointing at The Hubby).  I told them if you could find another The Hubby to take over and make sure the reputation of our business is at the highest level that we've maintained in nearly 42 years then maybe I can be on board but I don't think that can happen.  Our customers trust The Hubby, they depend on him being there, being trustworthy and doing the best job for them.  You can't clone The Hubby and I don't think selling our business is going to work.  They kind of agreed with me but again, The Hubby plugged on.  He is like a dog with a bone and will not let it go.  MAKES ME CRAZY that I feel like he is shoving this down my throat.  So we will let it play out and see what happens.  We either find a buyer or we close our doors.  And with some of the jobs we have going it still may be next year before we close the doors if we don't sell and continue.  Who knows, it's all so fluid at this point.  

Boy is this a ramble but you don't think about stuff like this when you start a business, do you.

 

Happy New Year's

A very quiet New Year's we had this year, but not without drama.  We scooted off to the cabin on Thursday afternoon with Snicklefritz on board for a weekend of absolutely nothing but laughter, a warm fire, lot's of playing Uno or Connect 4 and reading.  Oh and a little beauty shop.  I learned to make a fishtail braid on her beautiful hair.  We enjoyed a bit of black-eyed peas for good luck and she said that usually she doesn't like them but that this time they weren't that bad.  Good luck for us in 2021 hopefully.  

Sadly the time was not without the drama or exhaustion.  Our little Clayton, oh this guy.  He is really having a rough time.  Remember he had been having been having those spasms and we upped his meds to help and he truly got better, was sleeping and not having them quite as bad.  Well, bad me decided that maybe cut back again, WRONG MOVE doggie mom!  Oh man, he started having the spasms so bad again on Thursday and the weekend was horrible with him not being able to sleep because of them and wondering around at night causing me not to sleep.  You see we have stairs down to the garage and because he can't see that well and his body contorting and trying to stand on 3 legs I was terrified he would fall down them.  So every movement he made or yelp I was up and once before I could move fast enough, sure enough he was on the edge.  Scared me to death.  The stairs are right next to the door that goes outside and he knows to go outside.  Sleep was not in the cards for me this weekend and it was starting to effect me.  I told The Hubby yesterday that it would be better for us to head to town where he could go outside by himself and wonder to his hearts desire in the house.  I think the wondering around helps to get the spasm to settle down.  

We packed up after a hearty breakfast and headed home.  As it turned out we were needed in town to watch the other little lady in our lives, Min.  A grand time was had by the girls, they so love each other and it's easy to watch her with Snicklefritz around.  They play and play and play.  We did have an accident with a bump to Clayton while he slept on the floor.  Anything that startles him sends him into an episode and screaming and yelping.  He was screaming and yelping and it scared little Min so she started crying and screaming.  EEK!  When he has them so bad I either soothe him while he is on his bed or scoop him and he snuggles in my neck.  Poor guy, all day long I kept thinking we are going to have to "do something," if you get my meaning.  Worried me all day long.  That being said I started the meds back on every 8 hours again.  Last night The Hubby brought him to bed because he wanted to but it didn't last long because he got restless and wanted down again.  I put him down and just went to sleep and he didn't wake me up until about 1:30 when we heard him him screaming/yelping in the living room.  I ran in there and soothed him and he went back to sleep not to wake again until 5:30 when I heard the family three-legged limp into our room.  I got up, fed him, and went back to bed not to hear from him until about 7:30.  He seemed to be just fine, not all crooked and in pain.  Thank goodness.  It's funny how he rallies from these episodes.  I need to make a vet appointment now that I have some video of his episodes to show the vet.  

Happy New Year everyone, more tomorrow on my journey to TRY TO LOSE THIS DAMN WEIGHT!  It is the new year, resolutions and all. 

 

MY Year in Review

First and most important for me was the loss of my Daddy.

Yes, there is much bigger news in the world but in my tiny world the year of Covid, the year 2020 brought about the loss of Daddy.

The loss of a parent and the loss of our old homestead and all the memories that have rushed through our conscientiousness.  It has been an unnerving year to say the least with Covid, mask wearing, virus warnings, death...EGAD...

but first and foremost for me was the last time I told Daddy, "I love you!"  

We said goodbye to Daddy and to the house that we grew up in but we are stronger as siblings than ever before.  We are still family!

It has all been a whirlwind and I can't wait for the year to finally end and hopefully we have brighter days with a vaccine in play. 

It's not been all bad because sadly for our youngest and her family, living in LA was just too scary and money wise too difficult during pandemic (HATE THAT WORD!)  So they packed it up and headed our direction.

So we get to hold this darling anytime we want now.  Get all the kisses and hugs, anytime, as long as one of of is not in quarantine.  I get to watch another granddbaby grow up.  

I will reflect back to my first post of the year, 2020 and not even realizing what was in store for us this past year.  I again was prattling on and on about losing weight, dieting, the story that never ends, me losing weight.  Of course, the dreaded pandemic set in and shut down all my ideas of working out and left us basically stranded at home, close to a kitchen and no desire to get out and about for fear of the virus.  Fear of illness, fear of spreading the contagion, fear of DEATH!  Everyone in the world has had these fears, except for the doubters who don't believe it.  I do because I have friends who have lost family members, I have family members who have caught the virus and survived.  It is real and frankly I DO NO WANT TO DIE!  So the new accessory to our daily attire is a mask, which I wear proudly.  We've learned how to shop for delivery or pick-up, take-out food on a daily basis.  Yes the world, our world has changed, probably forever.  Weight loss, dieting, frankly that is not high on my list of worries right now.  Staying healthy and alive is.  I think I'm eating better and my one foray back to the workout world led me to be possibly exposed and having things poked up my nose, Covid test.  So, I'm just staying put until more people are vaccinated at this point.  

Here's to 2021, may we start getting the world, our world back to spinning like it's supposed to be.  

Happy New Year

Dieting, YET AGAIN!

Finally the holidays are over, the Christmas decorations are stowed away till next year and the new year is a month in.  Now I'm look at working on the weight plan since CLEARLY I've fallen off the cliff in that area.

Last summer I really was doing great with the Nutrisystem and was nearly 20 pounds down but after being in New York, LA, all the holiday goings-on I've put 10 back on, real quick. 

Monday I had a physical and even though I'm still down (doctor is happy) and my blood pressure was awesome I need to get back with it.  My doctor, my kind helpful SKINNY doctor proceeded to go on and on about this NOOM app that he uses to lose weight.  Right there I wanted to hit him but I listened.  I decided to try it out along with my Nutrisystem.  I'm using both the apps along with the food and have taken a month off from workout because I have to focus on one thing right now.  My whole issue is fast food and I know it.  I'm easily swayed at lunch time if I don't plan and have my food with me to just swing by a fast food place because it's easy.  So if I can have my lunches ready to go then the rest of my day and meals are easy.  I try to cook very good for dinner and have no issue, mostly in that department.  It's like last night for dinner I cooked salmon fillets with 1/2 cup of brown rice and steamed spinach.  It was delicious and I was quite satisfied.  Tonight will be grilled chicken and a veggie of some kind and maybe pan roasted sweet potatoes.  See, I can cook well and lean.  Even going out to dinner I mostly choose well from the menu, salad, lean fish or chicken but occasionally I want a steak and baked potato with all the fixin's and that's okay.  

MY ISSUE IS LUNCH AND FAST FOOD!!! Plain and simple.

I'm determined to get this weight off because with the 20 pounds off I felt so much better and with the 10 back on I'm already hurting again.  My body hurts, hurts, hurts and I'm tired of it.  

Another Weight Loss Story

I haven't shared this lately but in June I went to my GYN appointment and stepped on the scale to be shocked.  Honestly, I wasn't as shocked as I should have been, but the scale was 249, and I am being truthful here.  I knew I was hurting and struggling to even walk around the house, but again I had my  head in the sand.  Another thing was that I was eating a ton of fast food, and LYING to myself about it.  I pulled into Sonic one day and the carhop said to me that I wasn't in my usual spot....WTF!  Plus my blood pressure, which is good now, but that is with meds.  I want off the meds.  It was time to drastically take some action.  

I mean look at that caboose going on there.  It is obscene.   So I started some research on different kinds of plans, cost and types of food.  I've done Weight Watchers, and it has worked for me.  I've done the no carb thing, and that works.  But for me, and my lifestyle lately, I needed prepared food, in portions that I don't really have to think about.  Grab and go, portion control, those were top on my list of what I needed to try and make this weight thing GO AWAY, or at least get manageable.   

I will NEVER have this kind of body again, but I can be comfortable and more able to walk and deal with life.  I opted for Nutrisystem and have been quite satisfied with it so far.  My first delivery arrived in two different batches of frozen foods and regular stuff.  It was a lot of food because I chose three meals and snacks a day, and you add stuff like veggies.  Then, after a bit you add  power fuels and smart carbs.  The first month was very, very limited at 1000 calories.  I really wasn't hungry much and I tried to have salads and lots of frozen veggies (my favorite broccoli.)  There are also shakes but after a couple of months I started wanting to throw them up.  They taste good but for me it was a texture and milk-like (milk I hate) quality that was getting to me.  I've stopped them for awhile.

Those were the days...sigh...

The weight slowly started dropping, and dropping.  It's a slow process but it was a slow process to get into the shape I'm in.  I was in no rush to lose it fast, because I don't want my butt or tummy hitting my knees with extra skin!

17 pounds down

The calorie count now is 1200 calories and I try to stay under but closer to 1000-1200 everyday.  Now I'm doing mostly breakfasts, lunches and snacks and opting to fix dinner for The Hubby and myself.  But that's not much different as it's a protein and veggies.  I do eat out a lot at dinner time and have to deal with the lake experience but I try not to overdo it and get right back to the routine.  I'm making better choices when we go out to eat but I am NOT going to punish myself over what I want.  I've been good, except for last Monday night.  I truly TRULY was craving Mexican food, our old haunt El Rio Verde, and I told The Hubby that is what I wanted for dinner.  Cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, guacamole, chips and a good old diet Pepsi was my dinner and I did NOT feel ashamed, I enjoyed it and the next morning was back to my portion control breakfast and lunch. 

This will be a long journey and I've made my goals achievable.  My total goal is 50 pounds.  After I reach that then I will re-access and probably make new goals.  As of this morning I am down 17 pounds and I know that's a lot since June, but I have a lot to lose, and I'm trying to really tow the line here.  I hope to be 25 pounds down by Christmas.  I may slow down, but if I keep up the workouts it will help me to reach my goals.  In reality I will probably reach the 50 sooner but I'm not going to stress myself out over it.  It is one day at a time.  I have a lot of things I want to do in my life and I need to be mobile to do them.  

I'm also dealing with some arm issues and finally got into the orthopedic last Friday.  Lots of x-ray's and talk (I love the doctor) to find out I have some cervical issues in my neck, like degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis of my spine with radiculopathy (pinched nerve) and acute shoulder bursitis!  Oh BOY! This is not fun.  I've been getting chiropractic care, intense massages and now on steroids and nerve meds to try and take the pain away.  It is affecting my art in a bad way, like NOT wanting paint and can't, because of the pain.  But, as of today I've taken the last steroid and I am better.  It's still there a bit, but it's like 95% better, livable and I can sleep!  

With this kind of pain going on I could just give up the weight loss journey, but I WILL NOT let this impede my success.  I have a new granddaughter arriving very soon and I need to be able to sit on the floor with her to play.  

Diet/Food/Fat HELL!

I've been thinking about this diet/food/fat thing a lot lately.  Well, really, it's ALWAYS on my mind and always has been.  The idea that I am basically obese is a thought that has been on the forefront of my thought process for years and frankly, I'm tired of it.  I can't seem to get started again on the exercise program and I do eat fairly well, but this idea has popped into my head and I have to share.  

You don't put a drug addict in charge of a pharmacy do you!

You don't put an alcoholic in charge of a liquor store do you!

THEN WHY IN THE HELL am I, a food addict, in charge of going to the grocery store, planning meals, cooking food, making my own choices!!!!!  WHY, WHY, WHY!  

I know you have to finally heal yourself from your addiction by staying away from the thing that makes you an addict then you can hopefully be around it in "social" situations, but with food.  Man, it is all around us, constantly bombarding our every sense.  Television commercials, billboards, fast food places on every single corner and street, it's everywhere.  

When I grocery shop I'm pretty good now, talking myself out of candy bars, cookies, chips, dips, just crap.  I actually talk to myself in the store.  I usually have a grocery list ready for the exact thing I need and I try NOT to go when I am hungry.  It's best when I have already eaten.  99% of the time I can get through the whole gauntlet of end caps and register temptations without buying that thing I should NOT have.  

The last time I was in my doctor's office he said it might be time to consider taking a pill like Belviq, which curbs appetite, and most of the prescription ones that is what they do.  I DON'T have a problem with that I have a problem with being a sedentary person most of the time.  Maybe I need to go to a hypnotist to put the suggestion to WANT to walk or exercise or get up off my ASS!  I need to find a group thing again that fits my needs.  Jazzercise for nearly 15 years, in a group setting was wonderful but my knee can't do that anymore.

I also do not want to take pills that could possibly have side effects. Years ago I did the Phen-Phen thing and luckily I did not get the heart damage that others did.

I've talked about this before, but when I was 11 I broke my leg very severely and it was at a time when kids are very active.  There was track, softball, baseball, basketball, riding bikes, etc.  I walked, yes I walked because that was the only way to get to school or my friends house that was halfway across town.  I hate to walk!  I used to ride bicycles when a kid, but now I'm afraid of falling off of the damn thing.  Hey, maybe I need an adult tricycle kind with three wheels.  Would love that but I also have to have the URGE to do it!  

The one thing I did love was swimming.  We had a pool two houses ago and man I loved swimming.  I was in that pool every single day in the summer.  It's wasn't big or deep but it was round and I could swim around it.  As kids we swam at the public pool or at the Boy Scout Ranch pool that was open to the public.  I had my Senior Life Saving patch and was an extremely strong swimmer.  That is probably what helped me when my brother and sister were involved in other sports.  I would love, LOVE to have another swimming pool but The Hubby says he would NEVER EVER have another pool again.  He hated cleaning it out and it was a vinyl liner pool that was a pain in the butt.  We have the perfect yard for a lap pool, if we took the huge oak tree out?!?  The next best thing is that I decided, just now, to check out the YWCA that I drive by every single day.  Our friends Beverly and Kelly do water aquacise there and that MIGHT be my option.  I have checked out the schedule and will look into that.  It also means I have GOT to get a new bathing suit.  EGAD!  The only problem with the schedule is that I watch Rio at that time.  Rats...

Hitting a few road blocks...

New Year's Resolutions and MORE!

Day 2 of the New Year and I'm ready!  I told The Hubby that we would get back completely on track with the eating on Jan 2 and that is what we are doing.  Actually, we weren't too awful bad at all during the holidays.  Because we have been doing the no bread-no pasta-no rice-no potatoes thing since June it is like a habit now.  Don't get me wrong we have definitely had a bit of bread and potatoes during the holidays but you have to enjoy life and we did, just in tiny quantities.  I'm very excited for the scale to continue its decline this year.  The fruitcake is gone (my niece made), the chocolate covered toffee is gone (a fabulous Christmas gift), and the cream cheese candies (tossed, good but tossed).  Ready, Set, GOOOOO!

On Monday I spent the day at the office going through a box that Daddy had me get out of one of his closets.  He couldn't lift it down so I did.  We opened it to find a mountain of bank statements and canceled checks from 1968-1971 from his business, their personal stuff and my grandmother's stuff.  Old appliance manuals, and a bit of Boy Scout stuff (Daddy was a leader).  Most of it was ready to toss and shred, which I did on Monday.  I did find a few interesting things about my broken leg, in fact the hospital bills from my two night stay.  And of course I have already forgotten the date on it but it is the exact date that I did not know.  It's already in a file folder to keep, somewhere!  I know, I know, I've already started another pile to go through.  That brings me to New Year's Resolutions or Clean Out!  I'm looking at my desk at home that has a pile of paperwork sitting on it five inches high.  It is where all the bills I pay for our personal records and has been accumulating since last January. I have to go through to get ready for tax stuff.  

New Year's Resolution #1 - To have a specific box for tax stuff and a box for utility bills and nonsense - NOT THE TOP OF MY DESK!  

New Year's Resolution #2 - To clean out the guest closet.  Get rid of the crap that has accumulated and either sell on EBay or flea market or whatever - GET RID OF!  My plan is to whittle down the Christmas stuff as I take it down the next few days and that is where it will be stored.  I'm tired of it going up in the attic!  Next year all the stuff that we did not take down from the attic this year will come down next year and there will be another purge!  Not only will the guest closet become the Christmas closet but it will also house some of he paintings that are piling up here.  They will shortly go to the new building, my new studio but in the meantime they are piling up.

New Years Resolution #3 - Sell paintings!  Easier said than done.  Oh, I have sold in 2013 that is for sure but they are piling up and I don't want to store them in the attic.  Again, Etsy may be the place.  I do have another show in January at The Garden Trug that I'm very excited for.  It will be the perfect place for the flower paintings in preparation of spring plantings.  I need to get some more going, ASAP!  

New Year's Resolution #4 - Get into a gallery or restaurant!  I've only tried once but maybe again!

New Year's Resolution #5 - Diet!  Well, I'm sort of not going there.  I'm already doing it in a huge lifestyle change in our eating.  I think my goal is to continue, and continue with the exercise.  I am hoping with the 26 pounds gone now that this spring I will be able to do more walking again.  Don't think the running will happen anymore, but, you never know!  Maybe another 5K is in my future!!!

New Year's Resolution #6 - Read!  I have read 60 books yet again this year, 2nd year in a row!  I'm quite impressed with myself and so will continue with this goal.  I love to read!  That is one thing my mother instilled in my Bro, Sis and I was the love of reading!  She said it was the window to our future, that we could accomplish and become anything if we could and would read!  I hope I passed the love to my children, I know I did, and I am going to encourage Rio too.  She already at 15 months, loves books to look at and hold.  It doesn't matter if they are BBQ cookbooks or Architectural Digest Magazine, she loves to look at them and hold them.  Her favorite is her bedtime book, "Good Night Moon", and when she tries to say it, OH, the cutest thing ever!  

New Year's Resolution #7 - Continue nurturing mine/our friendships!  I have made a point of having our friends out to dinner or to cook here, and I am going to continue it.  I know The Hubby sometimes just wants to come home and do nothing but it is not going to happen.  I will NOT get into a rut of nothingness when it comes to our social life.  I started a book club with a few friends and neighbors and so far I LOVE it.  We have drinks and dinner with a couple of our neighbors and I love that too but sadly one of the couples called a couple of days ago to tell us they are moving!  Not far and she is still in the book club, but so sad!  I love them to pieces and she has become a really good friend, quickly.  I want to stay busy with my friends and family.  I will NOT sit in my house day in and day out with nothing and nobody to do stuff with.  A social life is very key to staying young and with it!  So my list for dinners/meeting with friends and family is a continuing thing.  

New Year's Resolution #8 - Blogging - I almost gave it up in 2013 but I just can't do it.  I have made some awesome bloggy friends here and some of the family reads this too.  They can see me here, I hope.  I have to write!  I still journal but some of the stuff I write in my journal I just CAN'T write here for fear that "someone" will find me here and read it.  I can be open and honest as much as possible here, but there are limits.  I have found that through my journey in blogging.  I would like to attend another blog conference sometime, with a friend possibly.  Maybe that can be another goal.  

Ice, Ice Baby

The sky is falling, the sky is falling.  That is what the weather people were screaming yesterday.  Yes we did get some ice and areas to the north of here did too, it but it's not as bad as we had some years ago that devastated Tulsa (I think '07).  I did hear in the middle of the night the familiar sound of transformers buzzing as they go out.  Gosh, such a scary sound.  

The next year was the best year in business for us.  We do electrical stuff and the work was constant for the year.  Plus our generator installation side really took off and is still a huge part of our work.  Generator baby!

(from the '07)

Last night as the temperatures began to plummet I told The Hubby that we were going to go off the diet a bit and have beans and cornbread for dinner on Saturday.  Perfect chilly weather for it.  Speaking of the diet, I am down yet another pound, that would be 26 pounds.  It may be a slow process but at least I lost a pound during the holidays!

Yesterday we took our employees out to a Christmas lunch to Olive Garden.  In the past we have done a rib place but last year the service SUCKED!  The Hubby decided OG and it was a great decision.  One of our guys, when he found out where we were going, was like a kid he was so happy.  He had NEVER eaten at OG before.  Really?!  

It was a nice lunch and we were glad to do it.  I was very good there, as I did have pasta and a half a piece of bread but I only ate half the pasta dish.  It will be my lunch today.  Really, as long as I stay on he moderation side I can eat out and anything I want.  This no bread, pasta, potatoes or rice thing has been awesome for me.  We don't miss it and eat tons of veggies.  

Weight Loss

I know it's hard to tell but I'm still dieting.  The loss is still only 17 pounds but the body she is a changing.  I will continue!

Garden Bounty

Yesterday I went out to the garden and immediately wished I had gone on Sunday, before I went to the store and bought cucumbers.  Wow!  The cucumbers that were all as tiny as my little finger on Friday were huge and ready to pick, and I will pick more later today.  The only tomatoes ready for picking are my sweet little Juliette's but more will come soon.  

I fixed a delicious dish from "the book", that included cucumbers.  I grilled tilapia on my grill pan and seasoned it with Paul Prudhomme's Seafood Magic and cooking spray.  Then on another plate I put a couple of Boston lettuce leaves.  When the fish was done I put it on the leaves and topped with chopped cucumber, chopped red pepper, and cilantro then drizzled with a olive oil vinaigrette (red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper).  YUMMY!  So delicious.

This recipe, Shrimp Salad, from "the book", is delicious too. It called for baby shrimp but I just used regular cooked shrimp and chopped them up.  A couple tablespoons of chopped dill, celery, a tablespoon of mayo, lime juice and serve over chopped romaine leaves.  Another fabulous meal for lunch.   

So the new eating is going very well.  

The #14

Just a quick hello and good morning and HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!  And to impart some good news.  As of June 5, this morning the scale says I have lost 14 pounds!!!!!  Woo Hoo!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it and gives me encouragement to continue on with the diet or lifestyle.  The Hubby is dropping too but he is now asking if he can eat this or that.  I think he may be hungry but I'm not.  I'm very satisfied with what I am preparing.  My only hitch is that I getting kind of tired of constantly chopping and cutting and sauteing and COOKING!  We will have to break down and eat out sometime and I can handle it.  I have book club in a couple of weeks and we will HAVE to go back to Bangkok, our favorite place.  I just have to have a lot of veggies and chicken that is on the buffet and I can do that.

Weight Down

Monday evening and I am rejoicing in the fact that I have actually finished and successfully so, a full week of a diet.  I have not done that in a very long time.  I'm not sure how to count the weight loss since I actually started kind of watching it on June 5, after the devastating doctor's appointment.  I am going to say that since June 5, I've lost a total of 11 pounds and am quite proud of that.  It's not been too tough and so much more enjoyable with The Hubby doing it with me.  I know that The Hubby looks like he doesn't need to lose weight but his cholesterol has a problem and he will definitely benefit by eating better.  I am glad he's along for the ride, I hate doing it alone.  We started week 2 today and the lunch...YUMMY!  It was baby shrimp, which I couldn't find so I used regular cooked shrimp, chopped up.  I then added lemon and lime juice and a tablespoon of mayo with a teaspoon of chopped dill.  It was then put on chopped romaine lettuce.  Boy, let me tell you it was so delicious and no salt!  The dinner was not salt too.  I didn't realize this was going to be a low salt diet too, but it is and my blood pressure is happier.  

Now, Bri asked me if I'd been taking progression pictures...not really of my body but my face so let's take a look, shall we!

2-3-2013

4-4-2013

4-21-2013

5-17-2013

5-23-2013

6-4-2013 (my 57th birthday)

6-17-2013

7-1-2013

The one thing I see is not as fluffy on the sides and my chin.  I know it's only 11 pounds but that is big for me and I already feel it in my walk and bounce in my step!  I'm pretty happy so far.  Onward!

A Rushed Girl

Good Saturday morning all.  Today is day 1 of the 8th year of this blog and I hope to start off with something that will interest you.  We finally got away to the cabin this weekend and that means that the diet will follow.  Yesterday was also payday and pay a few bills so I had a lot on my mind.  With the office work done and the grocery store list handled too I was ready to run my errands.  I arrived home with frozen shrimp, milk and other odds and ends that needed to be taken in quickly.  Just as I rolled around the corner into our neighborhood I remembered I was supposed to go to the liquor store for red wine, which I can have on this diet.  Rats!  I went ahead and took the stuff inside, safer anyway, and rushed off to the liquor store that is just up the street.  Back home The Hubby was pruning our ornamental grasses in front.  He seemed to think they were too tall.  Whatever, they were just fine.  Now they look like flat tops!  Right off the bat as we were getting stuff ready to load into his truck I realized I left my Jorge Cruise 100 diet book at the office, with my list of stuff to pack from home, and my meal plans.  I told him we would have to run by and pick it up.  We proceeded to load up and take off.  Two blocks away and I remembered that I left the fish for our dinner that night in the freezeer (didn't have my list from home.)  We turned around and went back and I rushed in and grabbed it.  We took off again and just as we pulled out of the neighborhood I remembered Clayton's dog food.  We had to go back for that.  Turn around yet again and inside I went.  The Hubby told me to take a breath.  I felt so disorganized and I think a little apprehensive about taking the diet "on the road."  We FINALLY headed toward the office and nearly there I remembered I forgot the fixin's for the Skinny Muffin.  RATS!  No matter, I can have my scrambled egg mixture two days in a row.  WHEW!  I was so glad to finally be on the road.  I don't know what was wrong with me and I hope to goodness that payroll was right after all of this!

 

We are here and enjoyed a nice dinner of fish, a glass of red wine and the company of wonderful friends in a place that I like to think of as our sanctuary! 

Dieting Update

This is day three of my new diet and I must say it is going very well.  In fact, I weighed Monday morning just at the before I started this thing and from the first of the month from when I had my physical I had lost 4 pounds.  That was good news because I had been trying to watch it a bit.  Then I weighed this morning, Wednesday morning and lo and behold I had dropped another 6 pounds!!!! WHAT!!!!!!  Incredible!  I told The Hubby today that this has been rather easy and I haven't been hungry which is very strange.  I haven't even had a craving for anything.  Maybe there is something to this no flour, no sugar thing.  My real challenge will be at the cabin this weekend.  I so hope the ladies there are sticking to it and make it easy but I am not holding my breath.  What I have decided is that if there is not "group" meal planned then we will do our own meal and then gather later to socialize.  But if they are still doing it and group meal is planned, on the plan we will join in.  I am going to stick to this thing!  The Hubby just got his doc report too and his cholesterol is up too.  Usually it's his triglycerides but they were fine.  The doc wanted to put him on meds but he told them we were doing this diet and he wanted to wait and see if there was a difference.  Sadly I had to buy a blood pressure meter today to keep track of my BP for the doctor.  I really didn't want to do that but I gave in.  Hopefully, the weight loss will right all of this.

Diet 101

Well, I am beginning Day 2 of the dreaded diet.  The first day, yesterday, Monday, was really not bad.  Actually, most days I don't eat that bad so yesterday wasn't a hardship.

For breakfast I made the "Skinny Muffin"from the book by Jorge Cruise 100.  Interesting recipe for sure.  Basically it is made in a coffee mug for 50 seconds in the microwave.  I was not sure about flax seed flour but I found it at my regular grocery store.  1/4 cup flax seed flour, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 egg, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 package of Stevia.  That was it.  Not much taste but it was filling with my coffee.  I am finding that I really have to pre-plan so I had The Hubby grill our shrimp for the lunch Sunday for our lunch on Monday.  He's doing it with me and that is so going to help.  For dinner I did fresh green beans and then another recipe from the book.  It was supposed to have orange roughy but I could not find fresh or frozen at the store so I used tilapia.  It was dip the fish in beaten egg and then Parmesan cheese and saute in one tablespoon olive oil.  So good!  One good thing is two glasses of red wine if you want every night!  YEE HAW!  My kind of diet, although it won't be every night.  So Day one is in the books and we look forward to day 2.

Diet - Yes or No

This picture was taken about 1974 when I was probably at the smallest in my life.  I also didn't eat much which was not healthy but it was the only way I was tiny.  I did sit-ups, 100, every night to keep the tummy flat and the waist small.  I was 36-26-36 roughly.  Sometimes I yearn for those years but you know what, life does happen.  You marry, you have children and it just happens.  After each child I did lose the weight but after awhile I think I just gave up and let it go.  You can play the blame game and give all kinds of excused of why this all happened but plain and simple, I got fat and I have to fix it!

When young, my brother and sister and I played outside all day long.  We rode our bicycles around the neighborhood constantly, around and around the block.  We played softball in our backyard with the neighbor kids running and running.  And we walked everywhere.  Exercise was a constant in my life at that time.

Now I am faced with this spread that is dominating my life.  I have exercised for years with Jazzercise and now with my trainer but I've just stopped loosing the weight.  My body has grown to a size that it feels comfortable with but it is starting to take a toll.  My knees are not happy lifting an over 200 pound body.  My feet complain constantly, but I ignore.  My lower back is tired of holding the tummy that wants to hang out front. And now my blood pressure is an issue.  I have a physical every single year and everything has been just perfect, everything, but since the knee incident my BP has slowly crept up.  Dr. L has decided that enough is enough and put me on meds.  This is now where I say enough is enough.  I have played around with different diets and just half-ass go through the motions but this time is different.  Several of my friends have started the Jorge Cruise100, no flour-no sugar, sort of like the Dr. Gott that used to be in the newspaper.  It is the first diet that I have found lately that makes more sense to me.  I have been a lifetime Weight Watcher but the new point-system is too much for me.  I liked it the old-fashioned way and was successful at it.  Anyway, I have a support system in place with my friends and I've told The Hubby he would be doing the lunch and dinner with me. He's very on board, thank goodness.  It is time I really get serious and maybe I will be able to walk outside again or even run.  I really enjoyed that but this knee thing is prohibiting me from pursuing that option, so the stationary bike and my trainer is where I'm at.  Wish me luck and hope you enjoy the journey with me.  Monday is the day I officially start.  This week I've read the book and on Sunday I buy food and prep for the week!  

Day 7 - The Battle Continues

As of yesterday I finished seven days of the colon cleanse.  That was 2-3 shakes a day (I only did 2), with added nutrition stuff, fiber and 7 cleanse capsules with each shake.  Then dinner I would have plate fulls of veggies and all day long, water, water, water.  I'm done with the nearly starvation part.  Just kidding, it really wasn't too much of a starvation kind of thing and I have not been perfect.  On day 5 I had a piece of pork tenderloin and on day 6, at the family/Father's Day event I had some brisket and my Grandma's dip on a chip (several times).  All in all though, I am down 6 pounds and The Hubby is THRILLED!  I will continue on but adding the lean meats, chicken and fish, brown rice and legumes.  Really, this is how I eat mostly and should not be a problem.  I am going to finish all of the product I have, the full 21 days but won't continue with the shakes after that.  ICK!  Not my favorite thing.  They don't taste bad, really but I am not a fan.  I think what is going to continue to work for me is the changes I have made.  I have given up diet pop and creamer in my coffee and fast food.  Those are my biggest offenders.  A little secret here is that my carpel tunnel has hardly bothered me and my creaky knees have stopped.  I have a BIG feeling that the diet pop was giving me the problems, had built up in my system and tearing my body down.

Now my thoughts about The Hubby being thrilled on the weight loss.  I am so torn inside with my emotions about that.  He seems so invested in my succeeding with this mission that I catch his eyes on me if there are obstacles in the way and I have the feeling that he is just waiting for me to fail, yet again.  Really, this is my thing and not his.  When I was taking those few chips at my aunt's on F's Day I was sneaking them, yes sneaking.  I've reverted to sneaking the food because he will be disappointed in me and I feel like a parent is watching me, ready to slap my hand (which he did many years ago.)  In the back of my mind I'm afraid that if I really do loose a lot of weight and look good, it might not be enough, that he'll want more and more and more.  When I was only about 20 pounds overweight some 30 years ago he would harp on me so what is the difference.  Maybe it's the health thing, but I'm healthy, according to my doctor.  I exercise and am in good shape.  Oh gosh, I am just making myself nuts and self-defeating myself.  This weight thing is such a huge battle.  I really would be happy to loose 50 pounds but 100 would be nice.  That's a scary thing to write here because in reality 100 pounds is just awful and I don't want to face it but if I want to be around for my granddaughter, and to enjoy playing with her I have to keep up at least giving up the diet pop and fast food.  Those two things alone which I did not have as a child should be of great benefit for me.

(Thought:  Maybe if I lose lots of weight I will feel more comfortable on the dance floor with The Hubby and enjoy myself.  Right now I just feel like a cow spinning around.)