A week after weighing and measuring

I'm still annoyed by those measurements, but still energized by them. I've been getting in more protein and less refined carbs. I'm not going back to my ultra low carb days, just getting more balance in my food. And keeping portions under control.

I think I'm annoying hubby a bit. Even my junk food runs have been healthier - veggie sub at Subway, no cheese, vinegar, no oil. Fresco style bean burrito at Taco Bell. It makes him crazy. This afternoon when DD offered her last slice of pizza to us, hubby told her I wanted it. I told her I didn't and to just put it away from later if hubster wasn't interested. It's typical of the routine when I'm eating differently. I'm not thrilled about it, but I'm used to it. He only gets this way when he's feeling like making a change in his habits. He doesn't like eating alone and sometimes considers it eating alone of I'm eating something different.

He makes me tired, but I love him.

I have a knot in my shoulder that refuses to quit, so exercise has consisted of the modified yoga and pilates routine and watching the dogs race around the yard. Yep, I let them run instead of walking them; sue me.

So far so good as far as food today. I'm getting in lots of veggies and protein and small amounts of fat (only what was used in cooking and occurs naturally in the ingredients). I'm not sure what we'll have for dinner tonight, but the rest of the day has gone like this -

B: 1/4 c scrambled tofu, 1/4 cup veggie/nut burger, jalapeno, 2 TBS diced tomato, TBS shredded cheddar; cinnamon flax muffin; decaf, water, supplements

L: Tandoori tofu, sauteed spinach-onion-garlic; cup veggie soup

Hubby's not thrilled with the low sodium levels, but my heart is thanking me. I'm craving sugar and am not sure what I'm going to do about it. We're headed grocery shopping in a bit and I'm going to throw Greek yogurt into the cart. I love this stuff! 1/4 to 1/2 cup of it with some fruit, ground flax, and drizzle (or sprinkle) of a sweetener is so very good. It feels decadent and that helps trick these jaded taste buds of mine.

Did I mention that I'm reducing caffeine again? Yep, 1 cup of regular only, and that's only when we're out. At home it's either 3/4 decaf or full decaf. Hubby hasn't realized it yet. He's up when he's up and crashes at the drop of a hat.

Hubster is actually ready to go, so I'm out for now. Here's to a great week!

Long-term goals - health and in general

My buddy K inspired this one. And the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a Chicago trip. :-) We can visit the Chicago Diner, Wrigley Field, try to score Oprah tickets.... And of course get into some trouble.

There are a few things that I'd like to accomplish over the next two years:

• obtain my MBA/MIT (four classes to go on that one)
• get rid of credit card debt (have a plan and will pay off the first card by 12/31)
• pay off the car (within 2 months)
• remodel the kitchen

On the health front

• see myself through hubby's eyes, as the gorgeous, sexy woman he loves
• keep my blood pressure within normal levels
• keep my cholesterol down
• drop a minimum of 30 pounds (that will put me close to the weight I was when hubby and I met)
• reduce the need for pain medication
  

I don't see them as unattainable. I can reach these goals, dammit! Two years is a long time, really. 15 pounds a year. 10 blood pressure points total. Less credit card debt will result in a higher net worth and more money to invest.

Alrighty, K, your turn.

Weighted and measured this moring

Yep, wasn't pretty. This, my friends, is what the double-whammy of pain and emotional eating do to me - 230; 45 waist; 44 hips.

I needed to put that out there. I need to see it somewhere besides the mirror (which I can avoid) and in my clothes. See, cooler temperatures are ahead which means bigger, bulkier clothing. It's easy to hide what I've regained in cool weather clothes. I see fall and winter with relief sometimes because it means I can hide.

Guess what - I'm tired of hiding! I'm tired of convincing myself that I look better than I think I do. I don't think I'm horrible, but I'm not the little thing I used to be. I have a closet full of great tops that I've outgrown - and I only gained a couple of inches.

I've decided that I will not buy any clothing for a while unless it's for a specific occasion. I have great clothes waiting for me, and they're not 2-3 sizes smaller, just one. I'm back to a size 20-22 top and not happy about it. I bought most of them in celebration of reaching that size (and the sale was awesome); I need to make sure I get to wear them before they're out of style.

I'm not going to do anything drastic, just get back to what I need to do, using the tools that I have on hand. I need to make sure I'm eating well and getting the nutrients I need. I need to get in those longer walks. I was up to 3 miles a day before pain knocked me off my game. On the days that walking makes me cry, I'll hit the floor and get in a few more minutes of yoga and/or Pilates. Yes, this girl is pretty flexible.

Technically I start over for the last time tomorrow, but today has already been a good day. Except for the 4 on the 1-10 pain scale. And the congestion. But that's another story.

It's actually a good Monday. Go figure.

Anyone else start over recently? Or come to a new and better understanding of yourself? Share with me!

Be well. Be strong.

Love yourself as you would your child.

This quote is from Raw Soul - kick-butt recipes in there. It hit me hard when I read it. I always tell other people that they need to take care of themselves but put myself last. Granted I'm doing better than I have in the past, but I still put everything and everyone else before me.

I take time to cry through my physical therapy exercises, meditate, and to cook well for us all, but I don't nurture myself. I don't see my down time as anything other than a necessary break. I need to see it as something special.

For a week, starting today, I will nurture myself. Let's see how much of a difference it makes.

On another note, hubby's sick and doing his damnedest to share the germs.