I'VE DECIDED.... DAY 326

Friday, December 10, 2010

I"ve decided to do the best I can in December on eating and not worry about losing, just hold my own. Last night I attended a Chamber event that honored our newly elected local officials. I paid $40 to attend this event and it being heavy hors doeuvres, is intended to be dinner. At WW someone suggested I eat in advance but knowing what food to expect, that was not a choice. The choice is to not go; because if you are paying $40 to eat and drink, you eat and drink.
They had a beautiful fruit and cheese tray and I started out with lovely cherries and some grapes. Then the buffet included coconut shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops, filet mignon tidbits, cheese stuffed pasta, barbecue chicken on a stick, eggrolls, and bruschetta. It was all delicious and I had a modest plate full. There were a few desserts but I had one small lemon square and a chocolate cookie and I was full. There was nary a vegetable in site, except the tomato/mozzarella combo to put on the toast. So filling up on the veggies wasn't an option. I had 2 glasses of wine.
The good news is that last year, at this same event, I would have gone back for seconds on my favorite things and tasted all of the desserts and I certainly would not have stopped at one lemon square so there is progress. And probably another glass of wine too.
So I have made progress in paying more attention to what and how much I eat.
I was talking with a friend who had lost 25 lbs last year and she has maintained. She asked how I felt about my weight and I said I felt good at the weight I'm at and she said that I should probably be happy then. We compared arms. My big bones and her tiny wrist. She is in a size 6 and a size 6 would fit on one leg of mine. I am a big boned woman so I can' t expect to be tiny and skinny. Even my sister is smaller boned than me.

But I am not giving up on getting into WW after the first of the year. I just have to get past December. At least I will have made a good plan and an attempt to get into it. I weigh less than I did last year at this point so that is progress and my clothes fit better so there you are. Thanks for reading. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FITMARY 12/11/2010 8:51AM

I agree with you: sometimes just staying in one place IS progress! Keep going and don't give up! The changes in your attitude are really significant! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNRISE14 12/11/2010 8:10AM

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PRAIRIECROCUS 12/10/2010 4:33PM

You're doing great ! Keep up the good work ! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 12/10/2010 11:27AM

The important thing is that you were aware of what you were eating and you made the best choices of what was available. Cogratulations on tackling a problem in the best way possible. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUGGYS 12/10/2010 10:38AM

Just keep on keepin' on!!!!You're doing great and the fact that you were mindful of what you were eating at the party was wonderful...it's too bad, tho' that no one thought of having a veggie platter or something! Report Inappropriate Comment

2WHEELEDSHARON 12/10/2010 9:25AM

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LADYJ6942 12/10/2010 9:08AM

Gratz on preogress and good choices at the holiday party. It can be tought be little nibbles arent the end of the world and allow you to taste more without over doing it. Report Inappropriate Comment

TRAVELISMYGAME 12/10/2010 9:01AM

Congrats on your progress! I also have made kind of the same decision for this month. I am not going to go hog-wild or anything, I am going to keep doing what I've been doing and try to maintain my weight during the holidays. Report Inappropriate Comment

JTATOL 12/10/2010 8:52AM

Good for you ... there is a life out there with more to focus on than food! Report Inappropriate Comment

GREAT PARTY IDEAS! THANKS! DAY 325

Thursday, December 09, 2010

I got some great feedback yesterday and the looming parties ahead. Today I have a luncheon out and a big fancy hors doeuvres party tonight so this will help. What would I do without Spark? Yesterday morning I had a delivery and an appmt and it was 1:00 when I headed home. I swung into Mcdonald's and ordered my favorite Hot and Spicy McChicken Sandwich and unsweet tea for $2.12. When I got home, I found out the sandwich cost me 10 points which is good to know as I often get that when out. It satisfies me. Next time, I'll scrape off the mayo and save 2 points. Anyway, I was faced with only 9 points for the rest of the night. We talked about going out to eat but I decided to stay home and have a bowl of oatmeal instead. Ended up with 32 points for the day so wasn't bad. I'll try to eat skimpy and mostly veggies at lunch today, It will likely be a buffet to help yourself.

It is really cold here in Florida and going for a walk probably won't happen. Maybe later with the dog. She would be happy. Today is stay home and do paperwork and pay bills day. I've had some really happy clients latelly which makes me happy too!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BUGGYS 12/9/2010 12:33PM

Fast food and points don't mix!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIECROCUS 12/9/2010 10:58AM

Congratulations on your happy customers ! Your lunch today, of cool, fresh veggies sounds great ! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDI571 12/9/2010 10:25AM

I bought some bran muffins and the grocery the other day. I figured up the points after I had ate it. I thought it was going to be 6 points, and it ended up being 10. Not a good way to start off the day. Report Inappropriate Comment

GCHUNG 12/9/2010 9:20AM

Its amazing how those fast food points add up. Good strategy moving forward. Report Inappropriate Comment

6 PARTIES LOOMING AHEAD, HOW TO COPE?

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Went to WW yesterday and gained .4 pound. I'm a hopeless case right now. I joined because it was $100 through Dec 31 and I think I will like the new program but parties are interferring with my efforts. And yesterday, I sabotaged myself with chips and ice cream. How stupid can I be. I'm confessing all to smack me into shape. I had a good breakfast and lunch and then grabbed the chips from the cupboard. At least I didn't eat the whole bag. And went from 12:00 to 7:00 last night with nothing to eat because of my busy schedule. Hubby and I then met at a Mexican restaurant for 1/2 of a quesadilla and some chips and beer and then when I got home, ice cream. I didn't buy the darn ice cream, he did. Guess who is eating it?

Okay, I am not throwing the chips or the ice cream out. I must learn to stay away from them and count my points. Throwing them out will not make me learn. I think with the idea of 6 parties looming ahead in the next week, I feel hopeless. If I can just maintain through December, I will be happy. I brought it up at the meeting yesterday and one woman said, eat something first. Oh, right. I did that Sunday and it did no good. These aren't parties at someone's home, they are chamber events or the retired officer's Christmas party and one party at my house for the chamber staff. So they are planned food and dinner events. I will just have to eat skimpy during the day and try to be sensible. And keep away from the beer and wine. Those 2 things add so many points for nothing.

Today I have an appmt and a delivery of furniture and the client wants to take me to lunch. Last time she picked a fried seafood restaurant. I am just going to hang on and do the best I can. When I sabotage myself with ice cream and chips it doesn't help. My mind told me that I had extra points and I could eat them but it threw me into the flex points and I need them for these 2 parties coming up before weigh in.

And it is so darn cold here, walking is out. Pat and I get up early to walk and if it is too cold, we don't go. And it is too cold. I'm so busy with work and getting things done before Christmas, too.

I really want to get into the WW program and keep up my membership in the new year. I feel this is my only hope. But with our busy social schedule, I already have events to attend in January. I'm booked into February with mardi gras, Chamber banquet, DisneyWorld the first weekend, etc. I just need a week to do nothing but follow the program and it doesn't look promising. I will do the best I can and stay away from that darn ice cream. Thanks for reading. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JTATOL 12/10/2010 8:55AM

Find a way to exercise at home when it's too cold to go out. When I treat myself by sitting down for a few minutes, I still use a stationery bike or chair exercises because I have so much weight to lose, but I'm not subjecting myself to weather extremes. Keep at it, you're making progress! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIECROCUS 12/9/2010 1:01AM

I'm sure you'll do fine ! Season's Greetings ! Report Inappropriate Comment

MTULLY 12/8/2010 4:22PM

You are not hopeless, just human. I think we all find it a challenge to eat sensibly and not gain weight. There are a lot of really good ideas in the replies already here. I do make a point of drinking 2-3 glasses of water before I go out, eat less during the day to accommodate splurging, have small servings of my absolute favorites and not waste my points on things that I can have anytime of the year, and I also exercise more the day before and the day after. I would like to encourage you to attend the WW meetings especially if you gained. You will find support and encouragement there (as well as on this site) that will help get you back on track. Just hang in there! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLAPPALS 12/8/2010 3:14PM

Hi - I'm new to this blogging business but just want to add - if you keep a glass of water in your hand they won't generally offer you anything else. I love the rum - hate beer and wine. so if worse comes to worse, I hold that beer or wine all night long.... Enjoy the visiting ~ happy holidays to you! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDI571 12/8/2010 11:11AM

It is so hard this time of the year. But remember, one bite at a time. The first 3 bites are the best, after that it is just food. So take small portions of that you like the best. Don't waste calories on the things that are iffy. Just be mindful of your eating and you will do great. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUGGYS 12/8/2010 10:16AM

Plan your meals carefully and eat a little something before you go to the party...you won't be tempted to binge on appetizers and sweets and up your exercise a bit...you WILL get through the holidays and if you do gain any more weight, you can go back and begin again...one step at a time! Report Inappropriate Comment

ILLINITEACHER52 12/8/2010 9:33AM

I usually walk my dog for 30-40 minutes per day but it has been too cold so I have gone to Plan B - Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" DVDs. If I start off the morning with 1 or 2 miles, the day really goes better and somehow I don't want to eat too much to sabotage my early efforts. Also, it is OK to be proactive and either decline an invitation to a restaurant that you know doesn't serve anything you can have or suggest another one that is in the same price range. Be an advocate for yourself. Report Inappropriate Comment

GIMPYKNEE 12/8/2010 9:27AM

Hi, my name is 4DOGNIGHT, and ... well - don't brutalize yourself. This is a challenging time of the year, and the first step is to recognize it, which you have. The second step is to make a plan, and you're starting that. I'm not on WW, I just am logging all my foods, and making careful decisions - if you plan your day with these parties/events in mind - you WILL overcome and be successful. Try 5-6 smaller meals a day - small regular snacks - then when you get to the party have a little shrimp or crab dip, and maybe some proteins from the meat/cheese tray, then focus on the veggies. The bartender will probably be happy to make you a screwdriver, (hold the vodka), or a sparkling water. If these are stand up & walk around social events, keeping a glass of water in your hand makes it harder to pick up a plate of yummies. If they are sit down events, use the smallest plate you can find. You can do it. Report Inappropriate Comment

PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE; HISTORY OF DAY 323

Monday, December 06, 2010

What a silly song, a partridge in a pear tree. Last week, at a luncheon, I heard about this song actually being created in the 1500's for the Catholics in England, (who were banned at the time) to teach their young children about the bible. The Partridge is actually Jesus Christ, Two Turtle Doves are the Old and New Testaments and so on. You can get the rest of this information online by googling the song. On the other hand, I found a great website that disected the song and compared it's meaning to social and sexual events in those days. A lot more interesting. So if you want to read more, try this link hubpages.com/hub/On_the_First_Day_of_Chris
tmas. Very interesting!

I also read this week about the use of the words "God Bless You" when someone sneezes. This came from the middle ages as well where it was thought that when you sneezed, your soul briefly left your body. So people would say God Bless to keep the devil from snatching it. There are a lot more sayings that we have that came from way back when. I should write them down when I hear them as I forget. For instance, the nursery rhyme, "Ring around a rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down." is supposed to be a tune about smallpox and it's debilitating results. The posies kept the smell of dead people away.

I'm going to ask Kaseycoff to chime in here as she probably knows all this stuff, living in England like she does. A lot of this stuff originated from England. Spend a penny meant going to the toilet as British restrooms required a penny deposited in the door slot for you to use it.

We finally got our tree up yesterday and what a fiasco. We have a pre-lit Martha Stewart tree that revolves. When we took the tree out of the box, we could only find half the legs of the revolving tree stand. We assumed the other 2 were lost as we could not find them in the box or the tree. After running around town, hubby brought home a regular tree stand so the tree has lights but it doesn't revolve. I love that part of it to see all the ornaments. In the meantime, the plug of the stand broke off so we couldn't use it at all. Then this morning, hubby comes in with 2 legs of the tree stand he found in the bottom of the box while putting it in the trash. Now we can't find the other two legs so either they got thrown out, put in a safe place, or those were the ones we threw out. I can buy a new stand for $30 on Amazon but will it fit? I'll keep looking as I love the revolving part. And new pre-lit trees are $150 or more. We bought this one on sale one year for about $50 8 or 9 years ago. I'll never have a tree that isn't pre-lit. So handy, just plug in.

Went to a party last night and blew WW but back on today. Interesting to see how it goes tomorrow with weigh in after 2 parties. The next party is Thursday night and it will be more balanced I hope. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PRAIRIECROCUS 12/7/2010 3:44AM

Happy Holidays ! Report Inappropriate Comment

4DOGNIGHT 12/6/2010 12:17PM

Thanks Kaseycoff, I knew you would have answers. And Ring around the Rosy is probably the plague and not smallpox although either disease could qualify. Report Inappropriate Comment

KASEYCOFF 12/6/2010 12:11PM

You know I can't resist an invitation, Carol, lol... The Twelve Days of Christmas: I never heard the story about the symbolism. Years ago, when I studied French, I was told that the song is actually French in origin, and that it's a cumulative song, a kind of memory game, much like 'Alouette' or 'There was an old lady who swallowed a fly' - you know, where each verse builds on the last one and adds something new, with the trick being to remember all of them by the end of the song. Snopes.com is a website that 'debunks' myths. They have an article about The Twelve Days of Christmas: http://www.snopes .com/holidays/christmas/music/1 2days.asp Basically, what they're saying makes sense to me. Charming idea, and it's fun to relate the elements of the song to various Christian ideas, such as the Trinity and so on, but... nah, 'fraid not. At least, I don't believe it, but to each his own. Wikipedia says "A bit of modern folklore claims that the song's lyrics were written as a 'catechism song' to help young Catholics learn their faith, at a time when practicing Catholicism was discouraged in England (1558 until 1829). There is no substantive primary evidence supporting this claim, and no evidence that the claim is historical, or 'anything but a fanciful modern day speculation.'" While I don't always take Wikipedia as gospel (no pun intended!) I think they're probably on the mark here. One interesting concept they raise is that each of the twelve days / gifts may have originally correlated with the twelve months of the year, and could have signified some kind of 'prediction' for prosperity in the coming year. But your guess is as good as mine. :-) Ring Around the Rosy: I hadn't heard the story about smallpox. The story I heard is that it relates to the bubonic plague epidemic - the 'Black Death' - in the Middle Ages. The 'ring around the rosy' is the initial site where the bubo, the plague boil, begins to arise on the skin. The 'pocketful of posies' (posies being flowers, thoough in England, a 'posy' is actually the small bouquet of flowers) is taken to mean either the scent of flowers to help mask the smell of sickness and death, or possibly the flowers thrown into the graves of the dead. 'Ashes, ashes' is sometimes said to be a corruption of 'Atchoo,' or a similar sound of sneezing, since that's one way in which the plague was spread. Some stories say the 'ashes' recognize the fact that often the plague killed entire families, and the house - with everything in it - would be burned to the ground, since no one would live there after it had been infested with plague. (No bodies were burned in the medieval age, and in fact, generally not until relatively recently in history, so it wouldn't refer to cremations.) And of course, 'we all fall down' when we die of the plague - and it's historically accurate that people would feel fine at breakfast, complain of a headache or feeling ill at midday, and before supper would be dead. There are a couple sites on the 'net that have information about the rhyme - and no, it apparently doesn't refer to anything historical, epidemics or otherwise. Snopes had the best distillation of facts: http://www.snopes.com /language/literary/rosie.asp> Since the rhyme has no reference in print - not so much as a mention in someone's diary, or memoirs, or letters - until 1881, it's not likely it's anything but a rhyme for some kind of children's dance or game. Same kind of derivation that many jump-rope rhymes had. A television show here called QI - a kind of quiz show - had a segment about this rhyme a couple years ago, and also cited the sources that show the rhyme is much newer than it was once thought to be. Apparently nobody knows where 'God bless you' started - it was recorded in Roman times as a response to sneezing, so... who knows why they said it? But it's old enough, and been mentioned often enough, and has been recorded in so many different cultures, through the centuries that any explanation (saving your soul from escaping, wishing you good health) is as good as another. And these days, of course, it's a courtesy, so if you want to be polite, you can always say 'Bless you' to a sneezer. Spend a penny is exactly as you say! It's a genuine Britism I'd never heard before I came here, and the first time I heard it I had no idea what they meant. Spending a penny always meant 'penny gumball machine' to me - big difference, lol... Another of my favorites here is 'I'll be mother' or 'Shall I be mother?' which is what someone at the table will say when the teapot - or these days, coffeepot, as like as not - arrives. Even men will say 'Shall I be mother?' and serve everyone a cuppa, tho it's always acknowledged as a joke when a man does the pouring. Comment edited on: 12/6/2010 12:12:29 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 12/6/2010 9:26AM

Wow, I bet your household was in a dither with the tree and all. If you hadn't been on WW would you have eaten more than you did? I bet you did better than you think. Happy holidays Report Inappropriate Comment

SO HAPPY FOR WW POINTS PLUS! DAY 322

Sunday, December 05, 2010

I'm only a few days into the new plan but already I can see that if you eat the food allotted to you, you will not be hungry!!!! I weigh in on Tuesday and don't ever count on results so I won't be dissappointed either way. Yesterday I was right at 29 points and tough to get there. For dinner, we had a baked potato, green beans and oven baked chicken. I could only eat half of it and the rest is in the fridge for lunch. Can't figure it out. Didn't even want ice cream last night and we have klondike bars in the fridge.

The weather is so beautiful here in Florida. It will be cold in the morning and warm up nicely during the day. Yesterday, I didn't even need a jacket, just a light long sleeve t-shirt. It's a little chillier today but nice to wear sweaters for a change. We put out our christmas lights on the outside. Today is the tree. Gotta get ready for my party on the 14th.

So far this weekend I haven't done any quilting. Other things to do I guess. I did work on a crocheted afghan while watching FSU lose to Virginia Tech for the ACC championship. They played well so we aren't embarrassed and look forward to a great team next year!

Got to get ready for church. Later.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BARBYDELL 12/5/2010 4:44PM

I'll be going back to WW on-line. Have heard many good things about the new program and am anxious to give it a try! We are dry and not too chilly here in Albuquerque - nice weather! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNRISE14 12/5/2010 1:57PM

will subscribe to your blogs i like it that you add what you are eating. One lady add the pointplus in them i think i will start doing that because it gives me ideas and helps. Do you know any other blogger that does that so i can check it out? I have trouble with my meats for supper mostly. I'm like you tho i like this plan better. Good luck ! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIECROCUS 12/5/2010 1:06PM

I hope that you are having a nice Sunday. Report Inappropriate Comment

RENNIE511 12/5/2010 11:50AM

I "rejoined" this past Thursday. I think I am going to like the new Points+ program. Reminds me of the fat and fiber program from many years ago. Report Inappropriate Comment

ELSCO55 12/5/2010 11:13AM

Some days its hard to eat all my points,especially with fruit not counting. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUGGYS 12/5/2010 11:06AM

I think I'm going back to WW in January, too! Friends that I have talked to really seem to like the new program. It's cold in Wisconsin today!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNAEDA 12/5/2010 11:05AM

I find I can't eat all my points either. Have a wonderful holiday season Report Inappropriate Comment

IMEMINE1 12/5/2010 10:07AM

Glad you are doing so good. I second that "it is cold here in Pa" Winter,Bah Humbug. Report Inappropriate Comment

KARENE10 12/5/2010 9:51AM

I plan on joining WW again in Jan.~very happy to hear that the new program sounds great:) Your weather sounds beautiful,it is very cold here in Pa. Report Inappropriate Comment