Revival of the over 200 club

[butterfly]

Thanks, sarshi - you too. And you make a really important point. At the end of the day, we always need to doublecheck our choices and decisions and be sure that they are for us, are true to what we believe, and for our own higher good. I think if we are really honest with ourselves, we can feel the difference. Some things will feel so natural and so right, and others we have a different kind of unease or something with them. Those are ones to really look at and examine. Thanks for bringing that point up , sarshi!

[butterfly]

Good morning! How is everyone doing? DD is now back at school - got home yesterday afternoon after an overnight at my mother's. I was 205.8 this morning - I am wondering how I will do now that I am "on my own", so to speak. I am hoping that I can refocus and get the scale moving again in the right direction! I was 205.8 - not too much of a shift or too bad considering that there were a couple of meals out, a taste testing for DDolder's wedding, and a little more snacking than I should of. At least they were 100 cal ones, but they do add up.

I am thinking that I should probably try to find my pedometer again, though I don't know if I'll be able to. But I think having some idea of the steps that I am or am not putting in may give me some useful information. I know that movement has to play a key role in this - there is only so much that I am going to be able to do about what I do or don't eat. So, I need to see if I am moving less than I think I am, or if I have to step it up, at least with getting more steps in.

At some point in the near future, I am going to have to find a mother of the bride gown to wear. Right now, the ones in my size make me look quite dumpy. That is not how I want to feel on the day my daughter gets married. I have never been one that cares too much about clothes and outward things like that, even in thinner days, but I would like to feel like I look good for this. Unfortunately, clothes have not motivated me for losing weight in the past, so while this is something that I would like, it is not motivating me in an extra push kind of way - does that make any sense? I guess I have always been so much of a "to thine own self be true" kind of person, like sarshi mentioned - that while I was hoping this would push me, it's not so much. Quite a contradiction between intellectual mind which wishes it would, and emotional mind that says that it really doesn't. *sigh

[sarshi]

Butterfly, when I was getting ready to go to my class reunion last fall, and wishing that I weighed a little less and looked a little better than I did, a very wise woman told me that I should go and just be my wonderful self and have a great time. Artificial goals are not what we are after here. This is a journey that will take however long that it takes. In the meantime, I am sure all that DD cares about is having her loving DMom at her wedding. In the meantime, you will continue to make the next best choices, because, come on, say it with me, "I can do it; I am doing it; I AM worth it."

[Creating JOY]

Butterfly- We are twins! I was the same weight yesterday!
As one who stresses out because of my weight, it sounds silly to tell you not to. But don't stress anyway. Think of yourself as beautiful so you can enjoy the day

[sarshi]

Ah Ha - another wise woman on board. Welcome Joy!

[Creating JOY]

Thank you so much Sarshi

[butterfly]

Thank you, sarshi and cj! I'm really not into the weight loss for that reason - I was more saying that I am surprised that that hasn't been a bit of a push for me, almost in a wishing way that I was - lol!

I did find the pedometer in one of my organized clutter arrangements , but was very disappointed by it. It doesn't register most of the time when I take a step, and it makes an awful click noise when it does. I was pretty frustrated by it. Now, it was only $11.99 originally - maybe more expensive ones are quiet and actually work right - I don't know. And the Mayo Clinic diet book doesn't come with a pedometer anymore, so that isn't an option either.

[Judivy]

Hello butterfly, CJ, and sarshi!

The free pedometer comes with the book, "The Step Diet." I wear it on my shoe, it's accurate, and it works great for me there. I keep reading and have the problem with my pudgy tummy making the pedometer so it doesn't register every step. It's so frustrating! So I gave up on using a waistband to hook it on. I use the right foot and check it when I'm sitting down, to keep me motivated throughout the day.

I did some interval walking today. My kitty cat loves it when I walk slow, but when I walk fast, she puts her ears back and she looks at me like I'm half crazy! I did it indoors because it's wet and stormy outdoors today. I heard that by going slow and fast, you burn more calories, it's good for your heart and muscles. I've read that in more than one place, too. It works for biking, too!

[butterfly]

Hi judivy! I've read the same thing. That's funny about the cats . Thanks for clearing up about which book the pedometer comes with - don't know why I mixed that up. Sure explains why when I looked cover to cover the pedometer was no where to be found!

I am doing fine today, though I've noticed I'm back to not drinking much water. I know this has been a problem in the past. Sometimes I really have to push myself to drink it, though I've read in some places, other fluids count as well. But, I know that water is probably the best. But, my defiant inner child is really putting her foot down! Feels like she may be winning out today - we'll see if my adult side can make any headway with her!

[sarshi]

Hi, judivy - good to see you back. Funny about your kitty. Mine likes to watch when I'm doing my step,too. Sometimes she watches from the couch, sometimes from the floor in front of me.

[Judivy]

Yes, kitties are funny!

Glad that helped about which book matches the pedometer.

I have a problem with low blood sodium, so I count my daily intake of fluids because too much is dangerous for me. In case you don't know, yes, there are other things counted as fluids and not just water. Soup, milk on cereal, Jell-O, pudding, ice cream, and sherbert. I can't recall anymore at the moment, but it makes it hard on some days. Like when I've had almost my daily intake and DH decides we'll have soup with dinner or when, in the evening, I'd like some Jell-o or pudding. I take meds with water, too, so there is about 4 oz. there for me. What I love to do is to have cereal, eat the cereal and then take meds or supplements with the leftover milk. I sort of feel like I'm "cheating", even though that's strange. Just because I'm drinking milk doesn't make it cheating. LOL!

I was wondering if you got yourself a really PRETTY water bottle or two, filled it up at night, to chill thru the nighttime and sipped on that throughout the day, if that would help you? I just record my ounces on a steno page, daily. On the other side of the page, I list things that I take, such as Acetaminophen and what time of day I took it. When I had surgery in 2005, the nurses stressed writing down meds like that. So it stuck to me and I write out-of-the-ordinary ones.

[butterfly]

I've tried the chilled water, judivy, and while it does help some, I still am just not a water drinker naturally. I seem to go through periods of time when it feels easier, but this is just not one of those times.

*edited to correct tired to tried - lol!

[Judivy]

I like coffee and iced tea, fruit juices and I just drank a fruit-vegetable drink, by Ocean Spray, I think. It was good, too. We also have V-8 in the mini cans on hand, too. So I like to drink too much and you find it difficult to drink enough. We're a pair, for sure. It's hard to control the amount you're supposed to take in daily! It's the hardest thing I've had to stick to for about 8 months now. I just hope in June, when I get labs done, my labwork's better.

[butterfly]

I like fruit juice, but have worried about having too much of it due to calories. I used to use V-8 but now use an organic vegetable juice I found. I do like to drink other things, just not water!

I was having a bit of a hard time earlier - think I am frustrated in a few areas. There's my whole weight deal after my self sabotaging, I recently have done more of a tally of our debt and it was higher than I even thought, and then for some reason I am going through one of my periods of time where I wish DH wanted more of a normal relationship with me. So, lots of stuff swirling in the head, none of which is going to help me with weight loss. I was thinking I should probably do some sort of journaling which i don't usually do - I imagine I have a lot to get sorted out.

[Judivy]

(((butterfly))) Journaling helps me. It's cathartic. I talk to myself and sort out things in my journal. It puts perspective on my life and certain situations with others. It helps me with my moods, too. I also heard that a gratitude journal was good. "The Artist's Way" is a book that talks about doing 3 morning pages of journaling every morning. It's a good way to do it, too. "Simple Abundance", is a book by Sarah Ban Breathnach. She talks about writing down 5 things of gratitude every day. Anyway, journaling is good for my soul and I encourage it to others when they're considering it.

[butterfly]

THought I would update a little here. You know the expression we have referred to here before, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears". That seems to holding true today. First as I was working on the computer, I saw a PBS program on with Dr. Roizen. I know about him and Dr. Oz and decided that I would give a listen. I already have the "You on a Diet" book, though it hasn't helped me much sitting on my shelf . But listening to parts of the program did prompt me to start a 30 min walking thread ( or actually revise an old one) and I think I may even pick up the dvd of the pr\ogram, since watching something on tv seems to be easier for me than picking up a book . I need motivating things like that right now.

The next thing happened while I was on a different place on the computer. I was actually talking about how the support of my online friends has meant so much because of the lack of positive emotional feedback/support from Dh. I have felt truly blessed by the kindness of my online friends. Well, all of of sudden on tv, there is a group singing, "The Greatest Love of All". I guess this group was the next PBS special. It was so timely for me. Thought I would share it here - it is so appropriate for us all, I think.

In case anyone is not familiar with it, here's the lyrics - it's by Whitney Houston.

"Greatest Love Of All"

I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

[Chorus]

And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

[sarshi]

Hi, butterfly,judivy, joy - how are you all doing?

butterfly - have you tried the drinks like Crystal Light to add to your water? Oh, and journalling doesn't HAVE to be taking pages and writing sentence after sentence. In fact, for me, taking stock, on paper, of your debts IS journaling. Just a way of seeing where you are and where you want to go and ideas of how to get there. Lists of pros/cons for a given situation; lists like the Mission 101 lists or to/do lists; these are all ways to help you take stock. {{{{hugs}}}} while you work to get things sorted out.

judivy - I don't think I've heard of a situation where drinking too much is bad. (OK, now. I'm talking about water and other non-intoxicating beverages ) It must be hard to keep a limit on how much liquid you are taking in.

waving to Joy

[sarshi]

butterfly - that song always makes me cry. Such a good message and one that we need to hear often.

[butterfly]

Thanks, judivy. I do believe in the idea of gratitude and remembering to do that. I try to do that in different ways and it's also a way that I use that other candlelighting site. It's important and gives balance in our lives. I haven't figured out exactly what kind of journalling I may try - it's funny, 'cause I know I had heard of that first book somewhere else, but don't remember where. And the Simple Abundance book is one that I know of as well.

Hi sarshi - so I am not the only one that that song hits ! You make a good point about "journalling" taking many different shapes and forms, some of which I do and others that I need to put more focus on. Guess I have a period of more selfreflection time in front of me. As far as the Crystal Light, I really don't like to use anything with artificial sweeteners in it. I've just got a thing about that, so I don't use any of those kinds of things.

Oh, before I forget, let me share my SHEism. Fortunately, before I headed to the bookstore to pick up a copy of the "You on a Diet" dvd, I did a more thorough doublecheck of ones that I have. Yup, you guessed it - there it was - and unopened! I guess the "teacher" was ready, and it was just the pupil (me) that hadn't been before.

I did do my 30 minutes of walking today - divided into 20 minutes, then another 10 later. That will be a positive, even if I don't get the scales moving again quite yet.

Thanks for your support! ((((Hugs to all!))))

[sarshi]

As far as the Crystal Light, I really don't like to use anything with artificial sweeteners in it. I've just got a thing about that, so I don't use any of those kinds of things. I understand - I've gotten away from the sweeteners, too, for the most part.
Oh, before I forget, let me share my SHEism. Fortunately, before I headed to the bookstore to pick up a copy of the "You on a Diet" dvd, I did a more thorough doublecheck of ones that I have. Yup, you guessed it - there it was - and unopened! I guess the "teacher" was ready, and it was just the pupil (me) that hadn't been before. DH and I are interested in history. Can't tell you the number of times we taken a 'new' book home, only to find a copy already on the book shelf!
I did do my 30 minutes of walking today - divided into 20 minutes, then another 10 later. That will be a positive, even if I don't get the scales moving again quite yet.

Thanks for your support! ((((Hugs to all!))))

WTG on the walking!

[Judivy]

butterfly, what's the other candlelighting site? Good on walking!

I walked 10 minutes, did p.t. exercises and I'm getting ready to putter around the house. The therapist wants me to try things out that I used to do, to see how the shoulder holds up.

I ate 3 small slices of corned beef last night for dinner, to I was up in weight this morning. I still feel bloated and my ankles throb. So I'll lighten up on the sodim and get back to normal.

sarshi, DH is interested in reading history and watching documentaries on TV, too.

Have a great day!

[butterfly]

Here's the link to it, judivy, though I just go to the post in the J&C forum that I have there and click on the link from there. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/can ... ng&gi=SHES I find it so peaceful there, and it's a good place to say a prayer - either in thanksgiving or a concern, and I find it very centering to go there. Sometimes there are a lot of candles lit, sometimes only a few, but that particular page is one for all of us SHEfriends. There are also general pages that anyone can light a candle on. It's a pretty cool place, and I try to go there everyday unless I am away.

Is the shoulder doing any better, judivy? My mom has such trouble with hers - people don't realize how much movement of it is involved in. Good job on the exercising - I still have mine to do today.

sarshi - glad I am not alone with duplicating books, dvds, etc. - guess it may be a universal SHE trait! There should be an official checklist for SHEs, and if you check off more than a certain number of characteristics, you are an official SHE!

I have to motivate myself to get on the treadmill. Sarshi, thanks for joining me on that other thread - it's harder to back out when you have someone else to be accountable to!

Hopefully I'll be back later to report that I got my 30 minutes done!

[butterfly]

Got my walking done yesterday, and made a point of having more to drink. This morning I was 204.8, so at least my body appears to be appreciating (from that aspect anyway ) what I am doing. I am going away today for the weekend, so we'll see what happens then.

Have a great weekend - I'll check in if I can!

[sarshi]

Hope you all have a great weekend. Be safe on your travels, butterfly.

[butterfly]

Thanks, sarshi, and hope you all have a good weekend too!