Tuesday

I have no idea what this is going to look like. I am posting the Sunflower in honor of cheefulness.  I was very grumpy about the WW meeting. It was crowded, etc. and long, stuff I already knew and so on. It seemed complicated.  I had a headache. My friend left a little early because the meeting did run on and on. But I was a dedicated trouper and stayed till the end. I bought a special calculator. It makes it easy to track things. After two days I can say that it has been very easy. I have not even grocery shopped yet. Just using what I have already and plugging it into my range. I also bought a pedometer which does not appear entirely accurate but even if I calcualte error rate and subtract some steps, it shows I do quite a bit of walking during the day. I knew I did. I wanted to measure it, though so I could feel good about it. It's not the same as a full blown work out session but it is substantially better than sitting all day. So, I have not suffered any unpleasant hunger as a result of being in the lowest point classification. I have switched from coffee to tea and I feel more calm than I used to feel during the day. Overall, I think I can do this.  More will be revealed.                             

Buddy System

I have a friend who has been very helpful in getting me out of the house.  Today she called and asked if I wanted to go to the zoo. It's a great place to walk and the weather was nice. My impulse was to stay home because I am in that mode where I don't feel like leaving the house. The difference in me now and when I used to get like this is now I DO leave the house even when I have that feeling.  So I went and it was a great outing.  She said she was joining weight watchers and that there's a 1pm Sunday meeting not far from where I live. So I said, I will join, too.  I think this will be good for me to go to a weekly meeting/weigh in and have a buddy to do it, too. Here is hoping for getting back to the normal body mass index.. it is really just around the corner.

Update

My browser is no longer supported by blogger..  I have been missing in action. I didn't know anyone was still looking at my blog and I appreciate the comments. I'm hanging in there with some winter depression, not losing or gaining weight but wishing I would take off at least ten pounds. A friend of mine died in December. She was a paralegal that I worked with for many years. When we got laid off we stayed in touch. Her niece rents my house.  She was diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer and within two weeks was on life support. They took her off and she died.  I found myself having something close to panic attacks on the days leading up to her death. There was so little time.   I still have a hard time getting used to it. There is also the realization of our mortality. I feel reasonably healthy but there is room for improvement. I have been on the lower end of my mood spectrum.  I do go to the gym regularly for workouts.  Work is good, they like me very much. It feels good to be appreciated. Kids are doing good. Daughter is close to gradulation, has been accepted and awarded substantial scholarship (almost two thirds of the tuition) at the college of her choice.  I miss blogging. I find myself not feeling very connected. So this is a good place to start. Thanks for checking in on me. Sorry to be gone so long. It is good to be back..

4th Day

It is the fourth day of my food change.  It has been easy.  I was sick to my stomach the night of the first day but I don't believe that was related. The good news was the next day I did not go for sugars and comfort foods like I used to do when sick.  I eased back into food and ate wisely according to my parameters. 

What I find is that I don't have any carb cravings when I eliminate certain foods, and I feel more relaxed and calm.  And focused.  Eating carbs and sweets is distracting.  Sometimes I feel like I am missing something in my diet, I miss fruit but I will add that back in later on after this two week stabilization period.  When I feel like I am missing something it is really the recreational aspect of eating, so I reach for a book or do something.  Or I have a drink of water or a cup of tea.  I am not missing nutrition because I am getting enough of that.  It is the habit of snacking.  It has been quite easy. 

I prefer eating like this. So I will keep on doing it!

MIA and Blog Trouble

I haven't blogged in two months. Then I had trouble getting in because I did something and it told me to use a new browser. I don't like this new upgrade but mainly because I have to adjust to using it.

I do like that I am giving myself two weeks of South Beach phase one prior to Christmas.  I gained at Thanksgiving and instead of it coming right back off  it has stayed. So I am inspired to do something permanent.  Move forward.  Let go of old ways.  I love the reading at the link below.

http://refusetoregain.com/refusetoregain/2011/01/losing-weight-after-fifty-menopause-and-other-issues.html

This is me before going to church on Sunday. I was smiling at the cat who was walking up to me.

I have lost six pounds, rather slowly, but steadily. I don't know why I have not been blogging. One thing I noticed was that when I was too focused on losing, I got stalled. When I got more active and diverted my attention from losing (but while applying the principles that work) and had some fun, I lost. I have been swimming and steaming at least once/twice and sometimes three times a week. I love it. I also did volunteer work three Mondays in a row where I went with a group to various locations of homeless camps in the city, and brought food, clothing and blankets. I missed this week because grandson had therapy, but I fully intend to go back. I missed the people we visit. I want to know how they are doing. This experience has enriched me and taken the focus off of the day to day me things. I also have been dating a guy but not seriously yet. We have had some fun and connect on a few different levels. It has been fun. I am still "looking" though and may be meeting another guy. I am trying to meet men that I can connect with on a spiritual level. I find when I do that, even if the relationship does not work out, I am still better off than before I met them because I learn things. I am still taking long walks on my lunch hours, working hard at the office. I have also begun seeing a chiropractor, my shoulder has been tingling. I am going to give him a chance. He is holistic and treats other conditions. I am keeping an open mind. I also have a church buddy. She is a friend I have made in the past year. We have gone to two different churches together and have decided to stick with one of them for a bit. It is nice not to go alone. We have basically the same feelings toward religion. Her husband is not interested in going, so it fulfills a need for both of us.

I guess I am getting balanced, being mindful and growing in one way while shrinking in another! I think there's a correlation here somewhere.

More will be revealed....

Update

Many thanks to Vickie for reminding me that I have not blogged in two weeks. I have lost a few pounds, though. I have been swimming, walking and using the cardio/weights at the gym regularly for exercise. I am not sure why the weight dropped, except that my food volume may have dropped slightly. I kept wondering why the weight was at a stand still. I hope I have some momentum now and can keep it moving. I certainly do not want to gain my little loss back. So I keep moving. The weather is cooler and that allows for more outdoor time.

More later when I have time...