Peer Pressure

When I first started this weigh loss journey, I had a hard time being around people when they were eating food I'd chosen not to.  It was worse, when I really wanted the food and they offered.  It was a struggle sometimes to smile and say "No, thank you" when all I really wanted to do was jerk the food out of their hands and cram it in.  But I survived. 

Now, I don't think much of it.  Sure, I want to eat cake when my friends are having some.  Some times I do.  Most of the time I don't.  Most of the time, I'm not even offered the taboo food.  I'm not sure when this happened exactly, but I noticed it today.

Today was our monthly birthday cake day.  The cake was in the kitchen at lunch today.  As each person finished their meal they would get a slice of cake.  No one took much notice of it, other than to comment on how good the cake was or something along those lines.  That is, until the cake got pushed in front of me.

We were making room for another person to join us at the table.  I'd finished my meal, but was enjoying the company for a few more minutes before returning to work.  Since the area in front of me was largely empty the cake got pushed in my direction.  Honestly, I thought nothing of it other than making room for this co-worker.  Thoughts about how good it smelled or how much I wanted a piece never entered my mind.  I'd had my meal and the cake was not a part of it.  Somehow in my brain at that time, the cake could have been anything, napkins, a dirty bowl, or a glass of tea, but it wasn't mine, so it didn't matter.  I wasn't going to eat anyone else's food.  I had mine.

Then someone exclaimed that the cake should not be in front of me.  She thought it was cruel to put the cake in front of me when I could not have any.  I insisted that it didn't matter, but someone 'rescued' me from the cake by moving it away.  It still didn't matter.

I began to think about how at the start of this, I felt pressure to eat and be like everyone else.  I felt as though I stood out because I was behaving in a different way from everyone else.  That added to the desire to eat and appear normal.  Now, I'm on the opposite end of that spectrum.  I have created a new expectation among my peers.  They know I don't usually eat cake and want to help me. They want to make sure temptation stays as far away as possible.  I really, really appreciate that.

It makes me wonder though. what if I'd wanted a piece of cake today?

Monday Mileage

I'm still motoring right along with my steps.  I haven't quite reached my goal of 21 miles per week, but I'm getting closer every week.  Progress is what matters.  I even got in two work outs with the weights.  It will take a while for it to get to be such a part of my routine that I'll easily do it three times per week.  The problem is my faulty memory not a battle to do it or not.  My head is in a good place with the exercise.

 

Now if I could just get the scales to budge, I'd be in business!

Lunchtime Steps

It is lunchtime and I have more steps now than I got all day yesterday.

Meetings

Meetings are the bane of my existence right now.  How is it that sitting is so tiring and draining?

 

This was my day today.  I left the house at my typical time, but instead of going to work I went to my mother's house. I took her to the next county, about an hour away, to probate my aunt's will.  That took about an hour, and then another hour home.  I got to work and was immediately whisked into an interview.  I was in the interview until 3:00.

 

So, effectively, I sat on my behind from nearly 8:00 am until after 3:00 except for brief trips between the car & door or restroom.  It isn't very helpful in walking 2.7 miles per day, now is it????

I managed to get in a nice walk after work.  I carried weights and did a mini upper arm workout as well. 

Tomorrow is another day, and I don't have any meetings scheduled.

Monday Mileage

I currently have 329 miles.  We've had a lot of storms lately, which have prevented me from walking outside.  If it were just a spring shower, I'd don my nylon jacket and walk.  I would after work, not during the work day.  I still need to be a little presentable in the office.  It hasn't mattered, however because we are getting storms; the kind with lightening and thunder. 

 We're in for severe weather this afternoon.  I'm hoping it will be over by the time I get home from work.  If not, I'll stay in.  I get a good number of steps in around the office every day. I'm not thrilled that I'm getting behind with my steps, but I'm not stressed over it either.  I'm taking it as a sign that I need to pace myself a little more.  I'll get the steps when the time is right.

Yogurt

I made yogurt yesterday.  Lyn did here, and I copied her.   It was super easy and the results were a great big YUM.

Just heat milk on low in the slow cooker for 2 1/2 hours.  Unplug it and let it sit for 3 more hours.  Do not open during this time.  The take out two cups and stir in 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, with live active cultures.   This can be store bough or homemade.  Return to slow cooker, replace lid and wrap in towels.  Wait another 8 hours, still unplugged.

I got some organic, whole milk at the grocery store for just under $4.  The container of yogurt was on sale for $1.  I scooped out 1/2 cup for the next batch, so I won't have that whopping expense next time!!!  It is a lot of yogurt for about $5.  It is also quite good.  It is a little thin, but not enough to bother me.

I added some strawberries from my uncle's garden to what I had for breakfast.  It was delicious.  Anyone that likes yogurt should try this.  There is nothing to it, other than waiting for time to pass.  Try it!

If anyone tries it post the results.  I want to know, but I fully expect another positive review.

The Doctor

On Monday I went to the doctor for a routine visit.  He likes to keep a close eye on me to keep me encouraged with the weight loss.  I was a little frustrated with a bit of a bounce in my weight.  I have been down in the 160's but can't seem to break that barrier.  What is more frustrating is that I ease up in to the 170's way too often.  I have lost the same 10-12 pounds more times that I care to count.  As he and I discussed my eating and exercise habits he was pleased.  He found nothing wrong with my patterns in either area,  but then he asked about strength training.

I realized he'd hit exactly on the issue.  I am doing great with aerobic activity, and I make good choices the majority of the time with eating, but I am doing no resistance training of any type.  I was so pleased that he'd asked.  I decided right then and there to start immediately.  I have a couple of hand weights.  I could walk holding those or do some various arm exercises right away.  BUT, I haven't done it.  The week got away from me.  I have some very good reasons for letting it slip my mind.  I'm not going to get in to those.  What I am going to do is use those weights three times a week beginning today.  Beginning as soon as a hit publish. I mean it.

I got a letter from the doctor on yesterday, which brought all of this to mind.  That was a good thing.  There is no telling how long it would have taken me to remember to find the weights if I hadn't.  There was also a bit of disconcerting news.  Apparently, my thyroid function is low.  Part of me is relieved that it has finally shown up.  The doctor and I have agreed for some time that I have every single symptom of hypothyroidism.  The blood test never showed it.

The plan for now, however is to test it again at my next visit in August.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep eating healthy, walking, and developing a routine with the weights.  Feel free to hold me accountable on it!