Pickles

My long time readers may remember that I love pickles.  For my more recent readers, here's a recap.  I love pickles.  I make my own dill pickles using a recipe that my grandmother used and a couple of aunts taught me the technique.  65MD grows cucumbers and dill in the yard for me.  I get enough most summers to last until the next summer.  This year my uncle had some extra cucumbers so I should have enough to last more than a year.

I don't really feel bad about loving dill pickles.  They are cucumbers soaked in vinegar, salt and dill.  I really think they should count as a vegetable.   If that were the case, I'd have no trouble getting in all my veggies every day!

I made the first batch of pickles this summer on June 29.  They need to soak at least six weeks to get good and sour.    The longer they sit the better.  I cracked open a jar the other day and was not disappointed with the outcome.  This particular jar was a pint sized jar with whole cucumbers in it.  I think there were 4.  I ate them all, with a little mustard on them.  That was my supper - a pint of dill pickles.  Anyone care to guess what happened this morning?

My weight was up 2 pounds.  Yeap, I'd finally squeezed of two pounds this week only to put it back on over night.  I cut down on the salt this year, hoping to negate this issue a bit.  Sadly, it didn't help.  My hands are so swollen, I can feel my rings.  I know this is just temporary.  And, I know I only have myself to blame.  I'm still chugging the water today, hoping that in the morning that two pounds will be gone for good.  Alas!

Home & Well

We are home.  The surgery was very successful  The surgeon was pleased and confident that he got everything.  65MD is acting like nothing has happened to him and I am ready for a nap.  Maybe I got the sedation?!?!

Thanks for your prayers and concern.

Monday Mileage

Last week I walked 57,292 steps. My goal was 60,000.  I got much closer this week than last.  Progress is progress.  For the year, I have walked 609 of the 1,000 miles I hope to walk.  I'm getting better at being a little more deliberate about how I spend my time.  I'm pleased with my progress.  I think I will only continue to improve.

I had a great week last week with all three legs of my weight loss stool.  I was fearful that my birthday weekend would get me off track completely.  I am pleased with the choices I made and am totally back on board this morning.

I had a few indulgences but most of the time opted for the healthy choices.  For example, my extended family took me to lunch yesterday after church.  We went to a place that has an endless buffet. On Sundays, there are breakfast options along with meat and sides.  There is a decent salad bar as well.  I knew without looking that the meat options would be battered and fried.  The side dishes would be largely carbohydrates like rice, various potato options, corn, etc.  Breakfast would include traditional options like bacon, sausage & eggs along with pancakes, biscuits, toast, cinnamon rolls and the like.  It is possible to make healthy selections in a situation like that but I know myself well enough to know that I could start out making good choices and maybe even continue to get the best options, but not likely.  Furthermore, no matter what I ate, it would be too much.  So, I ordered off the menu.

I ordered first, so that I would not be swayed by everyone else.  They all got the buffet.  I had made up my mind to get unsweet tea as an indulgence.  I forgot and asked for water!  I was half way through my meal before I had that realization.  I got a chef salad without dressing.  That wasn't a hard decision since I really don't care for salad dressing. I really enjoyed my salad and didn't have any kind of food envy for those eating biscuits and gravy or pancakes.  In fact, my sister said she wished she'd gotten a salad like mine.  She didn't realize they were on the menu.

Of course my family told the server that it was my birthday so she brought me chocolate cake and ice cream.   The cake was dry so I ate only a few bites, but I did eat the ice cream.  I had been wanting some since Friday night.   I gave the cake to everyone else at the table and there was no protest from them!

Now, if I could only get the scales to cooperate.  They shot up significantly this morning.  I regained everything I lost during the week and picked up two more pounds.  That is really not good.  It is frustrating to say the least, but when I look back over the weekend I don't see much I would change.  I feel good in my head and that is where it counts the most.  I feel in the groove and am not spending any time beating myself up over the choices I made.  I'll get the weight back off and as I continue to make good choices it will become more and more natural.  It is already feeling that way.

On a personal note, 65MD is scheduled for surgery at 1:30 today CDT.  It should last about 1 1/2 hours.  After some recovery time, we should be able to come home.  I'd appreciate your prayers.  I'll post again as soon as I can.

And So It Begins

Tomorrow is my birthday.  Tonight is the first dinner out to celebrate.  I have another tomorrow and one on Sunday.  Now, I'm all about the party.  Nothing makes me happier with being with the people I love no matter what the reason.  I am thrilled to have so many people that want to celebrate with me.  I want so much to embrace the moment and enjoy the love that surrounds me.  I do not want to spoil it by obsessing over carbs, or calories.

On the other hand, I have had a fabulous week with my steps, my food and my water.  Funny how letting myself of the hook of trying to do everything all the time allowed me to actually do it.  I know how precarious these times are.  I know that one little slip or even a planned indulgence can send me in to a tailspin that can take weeks to overcome.  I'm still battling a 30 pound tailspin.  I really feel like I turned things around this week.  I want to stay on this course.

I need to find that place of balance where I'm happy with myself and my choices but not burdening everyone else with them.  Here's hoping for the best this weekend.

Yesterday

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a bridal shower for a dear former coworker.  There were the typical shower foods along with cake, punch and strawberry/lemon water.  As I went through the line, I was catching up on the news from other former coworkers, so that I was filling my plate in a rather absent minded way.  (Is this what normal people do rather than obsess over ever morsel put on the plate?)  I got my drink and sat down to continue our chat. 

Somewhere along the lines I noticed my friend drinking punch and realized I automatically opted for the water. That is when I thought about the punch and the water and knew I didn't want that sickeningly sweet stuff.  I wanted the cool, crisp water with the light fruity taste.  Then I looked at my food.  I had mostly fruit, cheese and these little slices of pork.  (I don't know what they'd be called.)  Lest I leave the wrong impression there was also cream cheese dip with graham crackers and half an oatmeal cookie.  In the past my plate would have been just the opposite, mostly sweets with a little fruit & cheese to look respectable.

I was able to give myself honest praise for this.  Even the oatmeal cookie was a better choice than some of the other sweets offered. I really feel like I turned a corner at some point and hadn't realized it yet.  The little changes that I have worked so hard to maintain are actually becoming habits.  I know I still have a long road ahead, but for now I am celebrating how far I've come.  It is important for me to do that, so that I don't become discouraged.  Today I am very encouraged.

Monday Mileage

As of last night I have 590 miles towards my goal of 1000 miles this year.  I've done well but I'm really going to have to amp it up to get to the goal.  I have just over 4 months to walk just over 400 miles.  That is 100 miles per month, which is more than I have been averaging.

I've been doing nearly all of my walking outside since I started working from home.  Doing laps around the dining room table makes me dizzy and the dog thinks I'm nuts.  So far, I've been blessed with great outdoor walking weather.  When the rain comes I can adjust my schedule and walk after the rain is over.  If one day, I don't get all my steps in, I can make them up another day.  (at least in theory!)  I know the day is coming, however, when walking outside won't be as appealing.  I've got to come up with a secondary plan.

The obvious choice seems to me to be going someplace indoors to walk, like a mall or a gym.  That is certainly doable.  I'll just have to make adjustments so that I get all of my walking done at once if I go that route.  At this point in time, I bill my clients an hourly rate for my time.  It will chew up too many billable hours to drive some place, walk a lap, and drive back home.  Not to mention burn a lot of gas!  Now, I just walk in the morning before work and in the evenings after work for about half of my daily steps.  The rest, I get walking around in the house or the yard.  A few steps here and there add up to a lot of steps at the end of the day.  I'll ponder it some more.  I've got a little time before I have to make that decision.

In the meantime, I'm telling myself good things about myself, and drinking lots of water.

I'm A Fraud!

Since losing weight, quite a few friends have asked for advice or told me that I inspired them to lose weight.  Despite my feelings of being a fraud, since I've fought these same pounds for far too long, my standard advise has been to take it slow and change one thing at a time.  Make it manageable and then it won't be so hard to sustain.

On my morning walk, I was thinking of one friend in particular.  She is a very busy mom to four young children and needs to trim down a few pounds.  She's not nearly as 'gross' as she perceives herself to be.  I had encouraged her to find one small thing to change and only focus on that.  When it becomes second nature find something else easy to do and build that success layer upon layer.  She is trying very hard and I am quite proud of her accomplishments.  I encourage her every chance I get.

After my walk, I checked on some of my blog friends.  I have a cyber friend that is working to make small improvements in her lifestyle as well.  As I was leaving a comment on a blog congratulating her on her accomplishment, I realized I needed to take my own advice.

I have just had a major life adjustment in leaving the corporate world to working from home.  It is the realization of a dream I've had for years.  While it is all good and I'm thrilled to be fulfilling a life long dream, there are some major adjustments going on.  I have been beating myself up over not being able to sustain my weight loss efforts at the same time.

For me, weight loss is a three legged stool.  All three must be in place, and in balance for optimal weight loss.  The three legs are:

• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Water

The eating plan and exercise plan may change, but all three legs are required for the stool to work.

I mistakenly thought that all three things would be easier once I was home and able to focus.  I was wrong.  Walking is much more deliberate now.  Even though I can do it any time, I must make the time.  It is easy to think I'll do that in a little while, but a little while never comes.  If I'm not walking what is the use of skipping the brownie and then why drink all that water when Icees are just $0.99.

Get the picture, I have really been struggling lately and frustrated with the struggle because I did not anticipate it.  I have been beating myself up and very much feeling like the fraud I mentioned earlier.  I mean really, I am.  I am giving out this very good advice and not taking it.  I am not being encouraging  to myself like I try to be for others.  I'd never talk to a friend the way I talk to myself.

No more!  I will not talk to myself in a way that is not encouraging.  I will take baby steps just like I advise all of my friends IRL and in cyberworld.  Beginning today the negative messages will be cut off.  They will not be entertained. 

Once I am good at recognizing and stopping those negative thoughts. I will replace them with a positive thought.  Then I'll look at each leg of my stool to make sure it is strong.  I'll start with water since it is the easiest.  BUT, I'm not going to get ahead of myself now and try to do everything at once.  Now is the time to stop the negative self talk.  I am not a fraud.  I am a human. I am doing the best that I can.

Monday Mileage

I have 572 miles so far this year.  I've really got to get my head back in the game to reach my goal.  This week, it appears that I will have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to concentrate on my work at home.  Thursday, I'll return to my former employer.  Friday, I just have one appointment outside the house. 

This week is going to be the week that I turn things around.  This week there are no excuses.  I have been to the store and stocked up on fresh vegetables.  65MD is totally on board with it.  In fact, he wants to lose a few pounds himself, so that is great for both of us.  This time next week, I'll have great news to report!

If you'll excuse me, I've got to go make a few laps around my house now.

Read This

Like most of us in blogland, I have several blogs that I follow.  It is interesting to me to watch others make the same journey as me.  Some walk a different path, some are ahead of me and some are behind.  No matter what, there is something to be learned.  Something to keep me on my path.  I hope that I help others along the way half as much as I have been helped.

One of the blogs I follow, never fails to inspire me.  She is so insightful.  Often, after reading one of her posts, I just sit and let the words seep in to my psyche.  I just read this post and had to pass it along.  I am sure I am not the only one that will be inspired by the words.

The Rest of the Week

Monday, as I already reported was great. 

Tuesday was just as good if not better. 

Wednesday, things weren't quite so glorious.  I took my mother to the eye doctor that morning.  It was a planned trip; quite routine with no surprises.  But, it kept me from my morning walk.  I got home about noon and started to walk when I learned that there was an air quality alert and it was not wise to go out.  I started to anyway, and recognized the irony of doing something unhealthy to get healthy so I didn't go.  That would not have been so bad, but I didn't walk that evening, nor did I do any strength training. 

Thursday I had been asked by my former employer to come in for 'a couple of hours' so I agreed to go in the morning. I thought that I would get it over with and get home to my new work and get in a nice walk.  The couple of hours was actually eight, so a walk didn't happen then either.

This morning was to be 65MD's surgery.  It didn't happen.  When we got there we learned that the scope of the whole situation is much larger than we thought.  The fix is going to be much more involved as well.  Now surgery is scheduled for August 27 at 1:30.  Between school starting and the doctor's schedule this was the soonest we could make that happen.

I really don't want to get in to the details for the sake of 65MD's privacy, but this whole thing has gotten me a little bit rattled.  I'm losing my focus on my own health.  There is some irony there to be sure!  Please keep a good thought, prayer, meditation, or whatever  you do, for us.  I fear we are in for a long road ahead.

Good Start

My first work from home day went great.  I kept my promise to myself about walking.  I took a stroll around the yard every time I went to the restroom.  I got in 9008 steps yesterday.  My goal is to get 60,000 per week, so I'm right on target with that.


I was amazed at the amount of work I could crank out in just a few hours.  My day was interrupted by an impromptu meeting at the bank.  That was fine.  I'll need to figure out how to make all of this work and so far, I must say, so good!

Monday Mileage

As of last night, I have 556 miles in for the year.  I'll have to step it up a bit to get in 1000 miles for the year.  I'll get pretty darn close even if I don't make it.  Obviously, my hiatus included fewer steps.  And, I know working from home will create a challenge with getting the steps in.  I know myself well enough to know that I can get quite focused for extended periods of time.  I'm considering bringing my kitchen timer in to my office.  I'll set it for intervals and when it sounds, I will have to take a walk.  I'm going to try it on my own for a day or two first.

This morning I got up and took a short walk outside.  It was steamy already this morning.  In keeping with my office tradition, every time I go to the bathroom, I'll walk around my house - literally outside unless it is raining.  I'll resume my evening walks as well.  If that doesn't work, I'll get the kitchen timer.

I'm beginning to realize that with a more flexible schedule, most days will be different.  Even though that is what I want, I will have to figure some ways to adapt so that I still accomplish my mileage goal.  I can and I will.

Thanks for the sweet comments welcoming me back and expressing concern for 65MD.  Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 am and we live in the central time zone.  We both appreciate your prayers.

Where I've Been and Where I'm Going

Time has a way of getting by. I haven't posted since July 17.  That is almost three weeks.   This time, unlike other absences, I haven't even kept up with reading the ones I follow.  I don't like that for several reasons.  Mainly, I don't like it because I miss the camaraderie and accountability.  I also feel like I need to review what happened while I was away.  After being away for so long, it is hard to remember, besides a post of that length would be horribly boring.  I'll just hit the high points.

The biggest time stealer was/is that it is taking longer to remove myself from my job that I anticipated.  It is not a bad or good thing, that is just the way it is.  I'm committed to making the transition as smooth and easy as possible, so I will continue to go in to the office a day or two per week for probably the rest of the month.  Time will tell.

Secondly, my business is ramping up.  That is a great thing.  Since I'm still spending so much time at my previous job, it is like working two full time jobs and then some.  I won't complain.  This is what I wanted.

Another happy event was a Thursday through Tuesday weekend to visit my sister and her family out of town.  I just can't get enough of them.  I have two nephews ages 14 and 4 and a niece age 11.  They are a blast.  They are such a precious family, anyone would benefit from knowing them.

Finally, 65MD received a difficult medical diagnosis.  I'll not share more out of respect for his privacy.  He is facing surgery on Friday.  We both appreciate your prayers on his behalf.

That is where I've been.  Now for where I'm going - down the scales!

I must confess at this point, that I've hardly had time to focus on my eating or my mileage, and my weight has crept up.  As of today, I weigh 191.6.  I am disappointed with myself that I allowed that to happen.  Before I left for my sisters, I'd tipped the scale at 194!!  I was scared straight to be sure.  My sister is a healthy eater and I was happy when I came home a learned I'd actually lost weight.  It was great to recognize that I did not have to follow some specific plan for weight loss to happen. 

Before I left, I had planned to start back on the hcg for a few weeks.  I knew it was going to be hard with all of the back to school stuff with 65MD thrown in to the chaos that was currently reigning in my life.  When I got home and discovered a loss of over 2 pounds in 5 days, I changed my mind.  I took the time to think through my eating while I was away and make myself a pattern.

Generally, it goes something like this:
*Eat small meals through out the day, 5 or 6 as hunger requires.  By small I mean, a handful of cherries, or a cup of salad, very small.  It is amazing what a small amount of food is required to satisfy hunger.
*Severly curtail if not eliminate entirely, sugar, white potatoes and white flour.
*Base meals on protein and vegetables.
*Drink water almost exclusively.

I never felt deprived while at my sister's house.  I ate what they ate, when they ate.  My niece in particular is a snacker.  She eats most of an apple and stops when she is full.  She doesn't eat the rest.  That is the biggest lesson I need to learn.  I don't need to go ahead and finish of this or that if I'm full.  I need to stop and go on.  I spent a large amount of time splitting 'servings' with her.  We both got all we needed.  One night we even went for frozen custard for supper!  I realized that I can eat like a normal person and still lose weight.  I don't have to force myself in to any crazy, unsustainable plan.

That isn't to say, that I'll never go back to the hcg.  I'm considering it once the semester gets underway.  It is a good way to drop the weight quickly.  This time, I'll be better prepared to keep it off for good.

I'll report my mileage tomorrow and hopefully going forward, I'll post a little more regularly.