Lake George, day 1

I made it through the first day of vacation, and I've stayed on program.  We went to Golden Corral for dinner, and I didn't eat anything shiny or fried!  I had fruit for dessert, okay, I had a little whipped topping on my strawberries, but that's it.  Yeah, I ate more than I needed to, but I think I've stayed w/in my daily points allotment.  Woo Hoo!

We left almost on time this morning.  If we hadn't forgotten a few things and had to drive around the block and go back home a couple of times, we would have been about 5 minutes ahead of schedule.  It ended up being about 15 minutes later than we planned to leave, but that's pretty good.  Traffic wasn't too bad, and we got to Warrensburg around lunchtime.  Hubby had picked out a little bistro that serves fresh, health food.  I had a veggie wrap.  Lots of fresh greens, tomatoes, and some feta cheese.  Very delicious. So, if you ever want a good lunch in Warrensburg, NY go to Willow's Bistro on Main Street.

Then we went to the garnet mine. Many of the mountains in the Adirondacks are rich in garnets.  Gore Mountain has a ski resort on one side and the garnet mine 'round the other side.  We picked up several interesting chunks of garnet, but didn't even collect a pound of rocks!  I also replaced a pair of earrings that I had lost.  Of course, by the time we were checking out at the mine's gift store, it had started raining.  Gotta love driving through the mountains in the rain.  Not so much.

Checked into the motel and watched it rain for a couple hours.  #1 daughter joined us in the evening and we went to dinner.  I think I did okay, but could have done a little more walking.  But like I said, it started raining, and we just sorta sat around and watched it rain.

Tomorrow, hubby and I will take the 2 1/2 hour cruise on the lake.  It should be nice.  The girls are going to Great Escape (a Six Flags amusement park).  I hope they don't kill each other!

weigh in

I weighed in tonight, and was up a pound.  Yeah, WTF?  Who knows why?  So, next week, the scale should "make it up" to me.  That means I have to stay diligent this weekend while we are in Lake George.  Oh, it's so frustrating.  Granted, I weighed in a day early, but I don't think it's that.  E could be retaining water.  Okay, enough feeling sorry for myself.  It happened.  It happens.  It's one pound. It's not 5!

So, I'm starting my new week tomorrow.  Goals for this week:
1.  Keep track of all points while in Lake George this weekend, and continue until next weigh in.
2.  Move as much as possible.  WALK!
3.  Ice cream - ONE time on vacation.  I really can't not have any, better make it good.
4.  Drink lots of liquids.
5.  Get to the gym Tuesday!  (We're coming back on Monday).
6.  No shiny foods!

I'll let you know how I do.

Exercising

I went to the gym this afternoon today.  I met a friend there, and walking on the treadmill goes a lot faster when you can talk to someone.  But what I don't get is that my knees started protesting, when I didn't go this morning after dropping #2 daughter at her class.  And after I finally did exercise, the knees didn't feel any better.  So what's the deal?  Do I have to go in the morning?  That's not possible during the school year, when I work as a substitute teacher, but I can do it now.

Tomorrow, I have to take hubby to work, then go get an oil change for my car.  Then I will be able to go to the gym.  It shouldn't have the same effects, since I will get there in the morning.  Ugh.  Then lunch with a friend.

Weigh in #2 is tomorrow as well, since we are going upstate on Friday.

Short post today, but not much to say.  Oh well.

Another rainy day

It rained again today, but not an all day thing like yesterday.  I can't complain, because we need the rain.  I've been reading, a lot, these past couple of days.  I usually don't eat when I'm reading, so that's a plus.  On the other hand, I'm not moving much either.  I do stop reading to cook, so I'm making healthy suppers for the family.

I went to the gym again this morning, but forgot to take my meds before I went.  So, while I felt good with the exercising, my knees started to hurt about mid afternoon, and I couldn't figure out why.  And sitting in my weekly "pill container", today's meds were staring at me.  Duh, no wonder my knees hurt.  I'm taking a prescription anti-inflammatory medication, which really does help.  And the one pill a day sure beats taking ibuprofen several times a day!  So, I did finally take the medication, and it's starting to kick in.  I may have to take hubby to work, so #2 daughter can have the car tomorrow.  Which means getting out of bed, getting dressed, and getting to the gym a lot earlier than what I've been doing.  Yeah, the motivation is really lacking this summer.

Since we are going to Lake George on Friday, I'll have to weigh in on Thursday.  The same leader does both meetings, but the people aren't the same.  Many of the people I had been seeing at my Friday meeting have dropped out for the summer.  Oh well.  I know, that if I don't go to a meeting, I will let things start slipping, "because I have another week before I weigh in".  And once it starts slipping, it is so hard to pull myself back to doing the program.  I can go away on vacation and stay on program.  I know, I've done it before.  But, if I let myself slide and not count everything this week, I know I won't stay on program while we're on our 4 day weekend.  And that's been my problem this spring/summer.  I started to let it slide, and then stopped going to meetings and ended up gaining 15 pounds.

So, here's to a continued "on program" week, and a good start to our weekend away.  I can't do it, I just have to work at it.

Monday, Monday

I survived the reunion on program.  I sampled a little bit of everything, but didn't make a pig of myself.  I left the chocolate chip cookies on the table!  Big surprise there.  They weren't even calling my name.  I did have a small slice of chocolate mousse cake, but that was my "splurge".  It was fun to see my "camp" friends and to talk more than eat.  And it turns out that one of my friends was also a WW member (lifetime, but still on program).  She helped a lot.  So, after "surviving" the BBQ reunion, I have to stay focused for the rest of this week.  The family is going to Lake George on Friday, and there are several ice cream places that the kids like to visit.  Stay focused and get it done.

Anyway, I made it to the gym again this morning.  I'm finding that my knees don't hurt nearly as much when I go vs. when I don't go.  That should be motivation enough to get my butt there more often.  So, my plan is to go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.  Then on Friday, we'll be heading to the Adirondacks.

Contrary to the song, "Rainy Days and Mondays" don't get me down.  It's raining today, and it feels wonderful!  The heat from last week has broken.

First weigh in

Today ended my first week back on program.  Weigh in was "good", I lost 6 pounds!  I guess when you put it on quickly, it comes off a little easier.  It was very hot this week, so I drank a lot of liquids, which probably helped.  I went to the gym 3 times, which is more than I've been for the last 2 months, combined.

I have a big challenge this weekend.  On Sunday, a group of former girl scout camp staff will get together for a reunion.  Our camp was cancelled back in 2003, but we still like to get together on occasion.  So, what's the problem?  It's a pot luck, and the hosts are serving Mojitos.   I'm taking a lightened up jello-type salad, and I have seen what other people are bringing.  So, I can really plan ahead.  The problem comes when we sit around and talk, and the food is right there.  If it's really hot, I'll bite the bullet and go swimming (the host has a pool, so that's a plus).  I may also take a half gallon of Crystal Light, so I have guzzle that instead of high caloric drinks.  We'll see.  I really want to see people I haven't seen in several years, so maybe just the people will keep my hands out of the snacks!  Besides, I had a great week this week, and I really don't wan to lose my momentum.  I will let you know how I do.

#2 daughter had wanted to hike up the mountain that is about 5 miles to our south this weekend.  But she just got invited to another graduation party on Saturday.  So, I guess we put that off for a couple weeks.  Next weekend, we're taking a 4 day weekend to Lake George, which is one of my favorite places.  #1 daughter will join us, so it should be a lot of fun.  The ice cream is what is going to be a problem there.  But, we'll see.  I have gone there and not had to have ice cream every night!  So, I know it can be done.  Which means I'll be weighing in on Thursday this coming week.

So, I guess that's a bit of motivation for staying on (or close) to program at the BBQ on Sunday.  Plus the fact that I really don't want to get into the "I've blown it" mentality this soon after restarting.

Guess I'll spend tomorrow morning planning meals for the week and getting a grocery list together.  I have to restock my supply of fruit, because that is what is getting me through some hard spots.

Hang in there, I can do this.

Harry Potter

So, we went to see Harry Potter 7.2 at the drive in last night.  It was interesting to watch a dark movie on the screen and try to make out what was happening at times.  Otherwise, I think it was a good ending to the series, although, JK did leave it open to write about Harry and gang's children.  And as tempting as it was, I "only" had a small popcorn.  The first few weeks of a restart seem to be the easiest.  I don't want the junk food.  I want to stay on program and don't have to fight myself about wanted "something".  I will cook dinners, which is a big part of my staying on program.  When we go out to dinner, I have a hard time staying focused and/or wanting to order something that will aid my weight loss journey, as opposed to sabotaging my efforts.  This week, fruit has been my "savior", as far as the go to food when I "want" something.  Fruit now has 0 points, so it's very helpful to have a lot of it on hand.

This process is a rediscovery of what I am, and how I want to live.  I'm feeling a bit more energetic, although, the heat of the last couple of days is really zapping what energy I'm finding from eating right.  My knees still hurt, a lot, but I know after 10+ pounds lost, they also will start to feel better.  I'm trying to get to the gym every other day.  Making a goal of going every day is a bit unrealistic, and likely to cause me to give up (again).  Giving up really isn't an option, because eating "correctly" helps to keep various health issues at bay.  It's just that sometimes, I really just want to throw in the towel.  I'm not at that point right now, but I know it's lurking around the corner.

I am meeting my friend at the gym this morning, so at least I will get some exercise in today.  It's supposed to get up to 95+ with a wicked heat index.  I do enjoy summer, but this heat is something that I do not enjoy at all.

July 18, 2011. It's hot

I just noticed that I had put last year's date on all previous posts.  What's up with that?  I wasn't in a better place last year, so who knows.  Anyway, it's hot.  It's also getting more and more humid.  There are supposed to be thunderstorms later tonight, but they won't clear out the humidity.  I don't like it when it's this hot out.

The good thing about it being hot is that I drink a lot of liquids.  Mostly water with some Crystal Lite or iced tea thrown in for good measure.  Which means I'm in the bathroom a lot.  I know, TMI, but hey it's true.  I also don't feel like eating as much as I've been known to do.

I did make it to the gym this morning.  I did a half hour on the exercise bike.  Which is basically starting over.  It sucks, but it is what it is.  Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow, but if it's this miserable, chances are I won't be trekking to the gym.  I'm meeting a friend on Wednesday, so I know I'll go then.

Otherwise, it's been a decent on program day.  I tried a new recipe for dinner, and while it was okay, I doubt if I'll make it again.  Too much work, for something that isn't really good.

Until tomorrow. . .

July 17, 2010 Hungry today

I was really hungry today, and don't know why.  I guess, not enough snacks.  We ran errands, which meant shopping and loading and unloading the car.  It's really hot out today, so no "real" exercise.  I'm not going to count the schlepping groceries and college supplies, since it didn't take that long.

I did plan my dinners for the next week, and actually bought the groceries I need to cook them.  Hopefully, that will help stay on program, if nothing else.  We also started shopping for the things daughter #2 will need for her dorm at college.  I am not ready for this (her going away to college).

Tonight I made pork chops with red cabbage and apples.  Very tasty.  I'm not up to posting recipes, although, I'll try to do so in the future.  I think I got this particular recipe  from Taste of Home's Fast and Healthy magazine.  I find a lot of good recipes there.  They also give the nutritional info for all their recipes in this magazine, so it's easy to convert to WW or whatever other program you are using.

It's getting sticky in the house, even with the AC on.  I guess this week is going to be quite warm, which will help with the fluid intake.  I'm going to try to go to the gym tomorrow morning.  There is nothing scheduled, so there really won't be any excuse, other than it's hot out.

2 days done.  I'm hoping not to be so hungry tomorrow.

July 16, 2010. Day 1

Okay, so it's Saturday.  My daughter wanted to go shopping at the Palisades Mall.  Okay, this is a HUGE mall, 4 stories, with lots of stores.  It is also an hour or more away.  She didn't get up until 9:30, and we didn't get moving until 11 AM.  Which meant that we hit a lot of traffic on the way down.  The mall wasn't too crowded, and we had lunch (I stayed on program -- major victory for me right now) and then walked around all 4 levels.  I wasn't inspired, but like I said, I don't like myself very much right now, so shopping isn't a lot of fun.  Daughter got a new phone.  Hers was on it's last legs -- the battery would last about 2 hours, and the screen is so scratched, that I can't read it.

Anyway, I've managed to stay on program all day.  I even got some exercise in (yeah, mall walking is considered exercise!).  It's early evening, and I've still got 10 points left.  Go figure.  When I'm good, I'm very bad, but when I'm bad (as far as eating healthy) I'm awful.

Oh yeah, I tried a new flavor of Crystal Lite -- strawberry banana orange.  It's really good, and doesn't leave that sticky feeling in your throat that a lot of the other Crystal Lite flavors do.

One day down, 6 more to go (this week).

July 15, 2010 We start again

I have been going to weight watchers off and on since January of 1988.  I started then with a couple of friends from work.  I was at my highest weight of 288 pounds that first weigh in.  Over 9 months, I lost 130 pounds.  I know, it's not good to lose that fast, but that wasn't common knowledge then.  Closing in on my "goal" weight, I got pregnant with my first daughter.  2 years after she was born, I was back to pre-pregnancy weight.  Got pregnant again, miscarried, and then had a successful pregnancy and my second daughter was born.  I can "blame" the weight on pregnancy, but my "baby" just graduated from high school.

Along the way, I've lost huge amounts of poundage.  Then "something" would happen, and I'd go off program and gain it all back.  Okay, I have not gone back to my biggest, the 288 I weighed at my very first WW weigh in, because I've managed to get back on track before I did, but still.

So, anyway, I restarted again last fall, and had managed to lose about 20 pounds when this spring hit.  This spring has been one of the more stressful couple month of my life.  The oldest daughter graduated from college, and was lucky enough to have a job waiting for her when she graduated.  Great, but we had to move her from her college apartment, home, and then to her new apartment in the city where she was going to work.  She has so much stuff, that it took several trips to bring her stuff home, then we rented a cargo van to move her to the new place.  Whew.

After daughter #1 was moved in, daughter #2 had her events start.  She graduated from high school, so there was senior prom, the drama club senior banquet, and graduation itself, which entailed a massive cleaning of the house, since the grandparents were coming.  Then there was a couple birthdays and college orientation for #2.  I think everything is done, for the time being.

So that leads me to tonight.  I went "back" to Weight Watchers, and weighed in for the first time since May.  I had gained 15 pounds.  I know, it was stress eating, and the "see-food" diet.  And I'm getting to the age, where I don't like the up and down, clothes fitting or not, and generally feeling miserable.  So, I'm doing what "everyone else" is doing, and starting a blog about my journey this time.  I'd really like to stop the yo-yo at the scale, and have one set of clothing that fits me, all the time.  I'm not sure what I'm going to write, but this is more cathartic for me and if anyone else wants to read it, great, maybe I can help.

Tonight is the last night before I get really conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth.  I should be planning menus and getting a grocery list together.  Since WW changed last December, most fruits and veggies have zero point (plus).  I need to get the food I can eat in the house and go from there.

I might post my menus or if I find a good recipe.  I don't know how I'm going to do this, but it's like a journal, only anyone who finds it can read it.  Maybe this way, I won't quit when "life happens".

Oh yeah, starting (over) weight is 250.  I get 34 points a day.  Maybe next week, I'll do the measurements.  This is a bit scary, but also by writing it down, here, I can be honest with myself and quit playing stupid head games.

Away we go. . . .