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A Summertime Visit to Stonington,ME

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Yesterday I bought my airline ticket to go to Maine for my annual visit with my mom there. My mom is currently on her way there from Florida. She usually opens her seasonal antique shop on June 1 and keeps it open through October.

I am excited to be going to escape the heat here in Denver and see my mom for 4 weeks. Stonington is on Deer Isle off the southern coast. It is my special place where I find peace and tranquility. I love to walk the island and take photographs. I sell them in my mom's antique shop. In the past few days I printed up about 25 8x10 photos and matted them. Now I need to get them ready to ship to my mom.

Today I did my yoga and aerobics. I was pleased to wake up this morning migraine-free after spending the entire day in bed with a migraine. I went to the sleep specialist this morning and found out my sleep study was normal and that the sleeping pills he prescribed are probably responsible for the sudden drops in my blood pressure. He wants me to talk with my psychiatrist for his permission to go on Zyram, which is THE date rape drug. I am sleeping so well now I am hesitant about making any changes, but the last thing I need to do is pass out from the low blood pressure, as I have been doing, and fall and crack my head open.

This afternoon I saw the TMJ specialist and he said that since I haven't shown improvement yet, that my headaches are coming from another source. Now he says he is 90% certain that they are originating from tendonitis where my neck muscles are attached to the back of my head. He says next headache I get I can come in and he can give me some injections in that tendonitis area and the pain should dissipate in about 10 minutes. I have to try it.

I am looking forward to the long holiday weekend even though we have no specific plans. All I want to do is make sure I don't overeat. I need to make sure that I maintain my healthy lifestyle while I am in Maine as well. When I visited my mom in FL I managed to lose weight for the first time when I was visiting her. I have always gained weight before when I visited her.

Guess that's all for now.

Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CAROLJEAN64 5/27/2011 4:21PM

Can't wait to hear more about Maine when you get there.

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OHSOCOOLLISA 5/27/2011 12:33PM

I wish I could go with you, as it sounds like such fun. I hope you have an awesome day with no pain. :)
Hugs!

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LITTLEGUYSMOM1 5/27/2011 8:34AM

I'll be praying that the shots work for your migraines. It sounds like a lovely trip to Maine, enjoy yourself!!

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LITTLELADYHOPE 5/27/2011 5:13AM

It looks like you're really making progress on those headaches, which is great!! And great job with the exercising. Can't wait to hear from you from your "happy place"!

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_LINDA 5/27/2011 2:10AM

I sure hope this is the answer to your migraines you have waited so very long for. Keeping my fingers crossed!!! So glad you have something to look forward to. You so need a get away (and hoping you can get away from the headaches too). Enjoy your holiday weekend!.

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-POOKIE- 5/27/2011 12:51AM

They tried to prescribe a drug related to that for my insomnia as well. Same complete black out and non-waking state.... for somebody who lives ALONE? Yeah, needless to say I didn't take them!

Glad you had a good day :) trip sounds exciting.

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SLIMLILA 5/26/2011 9:31PM

You sound so excited and relaxed... nice way to be... and no migraine, even better...
I sure do hope the tendonitis is the answer, how wonderful would it be to live pain free?

Enjoy your trip and your visit.... I hope to make a trip to Nova Scotia this summer to visit my sister.

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VICKILYN4 5/26/2011 9:19PM

I hope you have a wonderful trip. Glad to hear that the doctor thinks he knows what is causing your headaches. I hope the shots work for you. Have a wonderful long weekend.

Vicki

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Help! All I want to do is eat at night!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I have no problem controlling my eating in the daytime, but recently come evenings all I want to do is eat. Tonight I am controlling myself, but other nights I go through the kitchen eating everything in site. I have read all the Spark articles about emotional eating, but to no avail. How do I regain lasting control?

Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SOLUCKY12 5/25/2011 11:04AM

I would be 20 pounds less now if I didn't have this problem. I feel it has something to do with my emotions and boredom at night. The novelty of SP has worn off, even though I still log on and stay connected daily. I do well when dh is at home, but I think I need to find an activity.

Sometimes I leave my exercise for night, so that I can do my strength training while watching tv and my bike riding while I'm watching a Netflix dvd. It's rarely about hunger! Sometimes it starts with hunger and then I eat something reasonable, and end up switching to more, sometimes foods I don't even really want. I don't keep very many treats of any kind for this reason.

Are you alone when you eat? I finally got my weight back down 2 pounds so that I'm the weight I have posted. Then I've been allowing myself some 2000 calorie days, so I need to get on the scale again and get busy.

With your migraine situation, it would be hard to keep from being depressed. You've gone for so much help, but it seems the doctors haven't figured it out. Is there any connection with your diet?

Let's keep sparking and stay connected. I watched the Biggest Loser last night and it was motivating. While some had gained a little weight back after winning several years ago, they still looked good. Take care Judi! Prayers will help, I know.

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RAINBOWFALLS 5/24/2011 8:11AM

I'm struggling with the eating all day syndrome. I also need to get my emotional eating under control! Best of luck to you.

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_LINDA 5/23/2011 5:48PM

How were you able to control yourself tonight? Focus on how that was able to work for you. People here have made great suggestions. I like the drink water as soon as the urge to snack comes on you. Also make sure there is nothing but healthy things around to eat. Maybe eat your supper later than the normal time and boost the protein a bit. But do keep busy and your mind off the food. I am sure there are lots of things to keep your mind and hands busy..You have the willpower to do this. You keep going in spite of years of horrible migraine pain. This is small potatoes next to that..
{{{hugs}}}
Linda

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LINDAJ0621 5/23/2011 4:50PM

I save calories during the day for this. I stop my normal meals at my 1200 calories low end of my 1200-1550 daily range. Then, if I HAVE to eat at night, I have the calories "in the bank". Also, and this may sound weird, the only thing that works for me at night is 1 tsp. peanut butter (eaten on the spoon like a lollipop) and 8 oz. fatfree milk with ice cubes in it...don't ask me why!

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BOVEY63 5/23/2011 1:40PM

I am right there with you - I swear there is a magnet in the kitchen at night that keeps pulling me in. Fortunately I was at the the new "Pirates" movie last night, but i don;t want to have to stay away form home to control this insanity!

Sure hope this passes soon - for both of us!

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CAROLDEDOO 5/23/2011 9:12AM

Yikes! I know what it's like...you just go from item to item...

Thank God I NEVER have cookies and candy in the house. But even too much of other things can be TOO much! (LOL) And the "out of control" feeling is gruesome!

So, what to do? Sweety, are you doing all the things that have always worked...i.e., exercising, posting on SP, etc.? You have so many projects going, I know you have things to do with your hands! You have GOT to want to do them...and NOT eat. It comes down to that...hard to hear, but do you want to stop eating???

Good Luck, Honey. You know I'm with you all the way

Keep on Sparking! Carol

and

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ONICAM 5/23/2011 6:00AM

I am not with much control during the day and sometimes at night right before bed. I go through OA and have a sponsor as well as the we care list.

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-POOKIE- 5/23/2011 1:04AM

Can you try "ending" your eating?

This is how I work everyday.

I plan my meals and dinner uses up to my calories for the day and thats that. None left. Food is DONE. No evening snacks.

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NETTIEDEE 5/23/2011 12:25AM

Are you eating because you are hungry? Like PHYSICALLY hungry? Or is it something else?

If you are physically hungry, I suggest you eat more during the day.

If it's something else...well then, perhaps it's time to find out what the eating is all about!

Best of luck. :-)

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THISYEARSMODEL 5/22/2011 11:54PM

Having a dinner of protein (grilled chicken or fish, or lean steak once a week) and lots of bulky green vegetables, with no starch at all should keep you too full to eat much, if anything, in the evening. If you have enough protein (you may have to take it up to 4 ounces; steal some protein from earlier in the day), it keeps you VERY full because it takes a while to digest. That, in conjunction with working on the emotional eating aspects, should help redirect your brain to not eat as much in the evenings. Hope that helps! Good luck!

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MOMMYNURSE 5/22/2011 11:37PM

Ive been having this issue too. Healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks. Come home and want to EAT. I have gained back 8 lbs this past month. I even took a pregnancy test because I was eating so much and just gaining rapidly. I think I was kidding myself on how many extra calories i've been consuming. I've been eating tons of ice cream. When you eat sugary or starchy stuff, it starts a roller coaster with your glucose and insulin levels that keeps you hungry.
I'm now 2 days without ice cream...trying to stop the cravings! I have been eating watermelon to satisfy my sweet cravings. But a high protein snack or healthy fats would be filling and help stabilize the blood sugar roller coaster!
I think part of my prob this month has been changing my work schedule, it's got my hormones wacky and my periods changing the normal schedule so I think that's been part of the problem..but I have to get a grip over it before I gain it ALL back :(

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STORMYZCAT 5/22/2011 11:21PM

Can you prep some veggies at the beginning of the week so when you want to munch you can a least eat a low cal and healthy snack? Drinking lots of water? Brush your teeth? Buy a few fitness magazines to browse thru when you feel like snacking...may inspire you to stay on track! Good luck and CONGRATS on your achievements!

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MYCUTEGIZMO 5/22/2011 11:07PM

That happens to me too..

In fact i feel absolutely hungry in the day these few days..so hungry I can eat a few portions of noodles in one sitting?

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Ode to SparkPeople

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I belong to this incredible network, SparkPeople.com,
where I get joy and comfort almost like from my mom.
There is friendship, support, camaraderie, unconditional love,
and a universal peace descending like a beautiful white dove.

The site's main purpose is to make a healthy lifestyle change,
but it sparks your life in an unbelievably broad range.
Do you want to start a business or learn to play the bassoon?
SP is more than diet and exercise: you can jump over the moon.

Fellow SparkFriends are the family that I get to choose.
With their unending encouragement, there's no way I can lose...
at life that is, but I can still lose these unwanted pounds.
The bad habits and self -destruction are seeing their final rounds.

I've had secrets I was embarrassed to confess;
I was afraid of the backlash that my life was a mess.
To my surprise there was nary one negative remark,
Only support, friendship, and advice to help spread the spark.

Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SING4MYFOOD 5/24/2011 12:04AM

Great poem, Judi - & I agree with you too!

Love,

Kerolyn

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YELLOWBIRD01 5/22/2011 3:48PM

I have to agree with you on that!!!

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HALFFAST 5/22/2011 1:19PM

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CANDOIT54 5/22/2011 12:02PM

Great thanks

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BOVEY63 5/22/2011 10:05AM

Awesome poem Judi! I feel the same way about SP and you!

Comment edited on: 5/22/2011 10:06:03 AM

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LITTLEGUYSMOM1 5/22/2011 9:29AM

Very nice!!

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CAROLJEAN64 5/22/2011 9:28AM

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SHRINKINGSHERI 5/22/2011 8:17AM

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-POOKIE- 5/22/2011 4:40AM

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AMYELIZABETH8 5/22/2011 1:22AM

Sweet!

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KNITTABLES 5/22/2011 1:08AM

Very nice poem.

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STUDLEEJOE 5/22/2011 12:55AM

great post. love it.

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_LINDA 5/22/2011 12:43AM

Beautiful! This is why every minute of my free time and internet are spent here. Its like a soothing balm after a difficult day,
Spark on my friend,

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Picking up the pieces and starting over (again)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

For a change I don't have a migraine, low blood pressure, or any other illnesses plaguing me. I did have some insomnia last night while doing a sleep study in a hospital lab. How can anybody sleep hooked up to all those sensors? I felt like the Bride of Frankenstein's Monster.

Anyway, I am still playing catch up from weeks of inactivity and overeating. I did my 30 minutes of yoga first thing this morning. I have managed to keep my appetite in check so far today. When I am done with this blog, I am going down to the basement for 10 minutes of aerobics. It's not much I know, but I am picking up the pieces of a healthy lifestyle that shattered under the weight of all my sick days. I promised myself I wouldn't go backwards, but I have to face the scale and my too tight clothes telling me the truth of just how far I backslid. In my last 4 day hospital stay I really did a lot of damage by overeating.

It's another heavy rain day here in metro Denver, complete with hail and thunder. Time to go down to the basement before Gary comes home and find the most enjoyable form of aerobics I can. I'm thankful that I didn't gain ALL my weight back and am hoping to fit comfortably back in my jeans in just a few weeks. Tomorrow morning I plan to hit the gym. I will ride my bicycle there if it isn't still raining. Tonight I begin meditating (again). Wish me luck.

I finished a new angel box today. I forgot to take pictures of it to post before I packed it up for shipping. Another undone task...getting my website up. I'll make it happen one day.

Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SLIMLILA 5/22/2011 5:46PM

So nice to hear good things happening... such persistence! You go girl!

I tried the nite before last to avoid my sleeping pill, but all I ended up avoiding was getting any sleep. I wonder if I stay in the city if I can get into a sleep study. MY sister and sil both had that machine for sleep apnea, I can't imagine being able to sleep hooked up to that.

Maybe now that I left work, I will be less stressed and be able to sleep without drugs.....hope, hope! Gotta get all the loose ends resolved first... insignificant details, how to move 400 km - will be 800 round trip to pick up stuff, where to put it, who will drive truck, how to get into the school and get anything I left that is special, and of course, what do I do with a freezer and fridge ful of fresh food , what I am going to do for a career since I feel this teaching one is probably finished...

Hope it doesn't rain tomorrow and you can drive to the gym. It's still a holiday here tomorrow and I have a meeting at the union office on Monday, I hope I am not disappointed and they can actually help me resolve some of these issues.

I did buy a Leslie Sansone disk last nite, 5 workouts - one is even Pilates.. now to get back into mood and do them. Remember how on track I was when I was in the city when new g.d. was born, walked 2 to 3 times every day, went to Curves and even a couple Zumba classes... Those ideas are back in my mind, just gotta get my head on straight and realize that I am important too and despite what those nasty colleagues did to me, I am a good person, and will actually be much better away from them.

Keep up your persistence, you're a motivation to me.!! Keep well!

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SERENEMOM71 5/20/2011 11:15PM

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SUMMERSMILES1 5/20/2011 11:33AM

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YELLOWBIRD01 5/20/2011 10:41AM

Love you attitude!! Keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will get there . . one step at a time!! You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!!

Lord, give Judi the strength she needs for today! I thank you for your healing touch on her body. I ask these things in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a great day!!

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SING4MYFOOD 5/20/2011 1:33AM

Praying for you, Judi - sorry I haven't been around, I haven't had Internet. Finally got online Wed. afternoon - praise the Lord!

Keep a positive outlook, & I know you'll get there. You have a lot of people in your corner!

Love,

Kerolyn

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CAROLJEAN64 5/19/2011 8:58PM

Glad you are having a good day. I love your attitude... it is so right. You aren't trying to change the effects of your recent illness with one day of health. Ten minutes of cardio is a great start. Continue to be kind to yourself.

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Difficult Times

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The past few weeks have been very difficult health wise. It's been doctor after doctor and hospital after ER. My hypotension isn't getting any better and now I need to add a cardiologist to my list of doctors and appointments.

Since I have been very inactive but emotionally eating, I am putting on weight. I was getting so close to my goal, now it's like starting all over again. I swore I wasn't going to put on weight after I lost it and had donated my "fat" clothes to charity. Now I have very little that fits me. All the more incentive to drop this tub of lard I'm carrying around again. SIGH.

Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BOVEY63 5/19/2011 12:11PM

I keep praying that all these doctors will find solutions for you and that you can enjoy all that life has to offer - you really do deserve it.

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SERENEMOM71 5/19/2011 10:50AM

Just know that you are in my daily thoughts and prayers as always. I know how hard it is to maintain any weight loss as I have struggled with it myself for years. I have just finished reading an amazing book called "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst, that has really helped me. If you are interested, let me know and I will share about it with you. I'm so sorry that you are having a rough time right now. May God especially Bless you right now on your journey to health and healing.

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_LINDA 5/18/2011 9:55PM

You can get this back Judi! While you have no control over your health and inability to exercise, you can control the eating. I so understand your frustrations and the escape into comfort food. I had to quit my one bad weakness, salty chips and baked Cheetos crunchy when I hurt my back as I knew I would not be able to do much for exercise. They key is to make sure nothing is brought into the house you shouldn't be eating. Then you won't be tempted. Do anything you can to keep your mind off food. I need to make it a point never to buy chips or Cheetos again. I can maintain my weight just fine if those aren't around as absolutely everything else I have here is healthy.
Do it for your sake. This is one aspect of your life you CAN have control over.
And I know you are a very strong woman to have gone through so much suffering and still managed to lose weight. You can do this!! I have faith in you!
Big hugs,
Linda

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RAINBOWFALLS 5/18/2011 7:22PM

My pants are so tight now and I gave away my fat pants too. I was looking through my closet and I had a bunch of pants in the size below me... I need to get in gear. We can do it!

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CAROLJEAN64 5/18/2011 6:15PM

I hope you are back on track soon.

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LITTLEGUYSMOM1 5/18/2011 5:28PM

I'm sorry you are feeling so down and things are rough right now. Just know that you are in my prayers.

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SLUDERCATS 5/18/2011 5:12PM

I'm sorry that you have been ill, that is a miserable feeling and i know what it feel like doing the rounds of doctors. But now is the time to pick yourself up, brush yourself off and start over with baby steps. It sounds like you know the program. Please do not belittle yourself, so you had some bad times, today is a new day. Begin again. I believe in you!!

Gayle

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