So many teams, so little time

Thursday, January 20, 2011

I noticed this morning that I was a member of 15 spark teams. There's no way I have time to visit each one every day, even just to huddle, let alone participate on the message boards and challenges. What a shame. There are so many interesting teams on Sparkpeople, and so many wonderful people on each time. But I know from being a team leader that it doesn't really make sense to join a team and then not participate. So I gave my teams some careful thought a removed myself from a few. I didn't feel so bad about leaving the ones with over 100,000 members or that I haven't visited in several weeks, but others I may end up joining again at some point when I don't feel so rushed and busy.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BJW-FARMGIRL 1/20/2011 10:23AM

Yep, I purposefully kept my number of teams low. There's still one that I don't visit everyday. I'm sure team leaders appreciate members who do participate (thanks, Jennifer), so maybe I had the right idea all along! I did have to clean up my sparkfriends list a few days ago. I think there's still a little more clean up to do. I give it a long time, hoping some folks will come back, but I dont want to discourage folks from friending me 'coz they see a big list. Better to have new, active friends and ones who could use encouragement than to have a page full of folks who disappeared and may never come back. It's sad when someone leaves, but we have no control over that. Comment edited on: 1/20/2011 10:27:31 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ZANNACHAN 1/20/2011 10:17AM

Heh, I am finding myself in the same situation--I am a member of 21 (!) teams. Some are active and some are not, some are big and some are small, but still, that's a bit much. But I'm having a hard time cutting back on things because I joined each of those teams for a reason, so it's not easy to decide which ones I can do without. Anyway, wanted to give a drive by from another member of the Slowest Loser Team! Report Inappropriate Comment

ILRURALRT 1/20/2011 10:17AM

I find my list growing as well and need to make some tough choices! Report Inappropriate Comment

MJWEBB6200 1/20/2011 10:13AM

It's always good to do a clean up now and then. Have a great week. Report Inappropriate Comment

Back to WW

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Well, I went back to a weight watchers meeting yesterday. I had really hoped to be able to maintain my weight loss, and even lose a few more pounds with Sparkpeople only rather than have to attend meetings, but I wasn't successful at keeping the pounds off. Before I gain any more weight I decided to go back and learn about the new points plus system. It's kind of nice to be back in a group and also to hear other members' suggestions and learn from them. We get this at Spark too, of course, but it's nice to also have the face-to-face. So, I guess I'll be combining spark and W for awhile and try to get back in control in time for the season of shorts and swimsuits!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MRILEY123 1/19/2011 12:00PM

Hope this works out for you! I've lost on WW before -- if you stick with it, you'll see the results you want. Keep us posted! Report Inappropriate Comment

BJW-FARMGIRL 1/19/2011 11:42AM

Whatever works for you, Jennifer! You know we're here for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

It's all good

Monday, December 20, 2010

Things are definitely looking up. We are sleeping much better at our house thanks to a mild sedative the vet prescribed to our dog. We are supposed to give him the lowest dose he responds to, which is in theory is one pill although he can have up to two if needed. On Saturday night I gave him one pill and he did well except that he woke up at 4:30 a.m. and started barking. I took him outside to do his business but felt like he was groggy and a little confused. The last thing I want is for my dog to feel drugged, so last night I gave him only a half a pill, and that worked even better. He settled down, didn't bark all night long, and this morning was his old, happy self. Needless to say, DH and I appreciated being able to sleep all night long as well.

Overall, this was a great weekend. It seems we are on the right track to solving the dog problems that led to many other problems because of our sleep deprivation. Best of all, and last but not least, our youngest graduated from college yesterday. We enjoyed the commencement and then went out to dinner along with one of my daughter's friends and our eldest daughter. We went to Red Lobster and I tried to be good, but I couldn't resist eating two of the cheddar biscuits. We did skip appetizers and desserts and I ordered grilled salmon (which by the way was fantastic!).

Now at last I feel I can really look forward to Christmas. The shopping is finished, the dinner is planned, and while I still need to wrap and get the tree up, I no longer feel overwhelmed by it all. Let me also say "thank you" to all my Sparkfriends who understood how I was feeling and sent words of encouragement. Sometimes just "venting" a little and knowing others understand can make a big difference in how you approach life's ups and downs. Thank you all for being there.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MRILEY123 12/20/2010 10:19AM

Congratulations on your graduate! That's a real accomplishment. Now enjoy the holiday! Joy and blessings to you, Martha Report Inappropriate Comment

BJW-FARMGIRL 12/20/2010 10:02AM

Yea! Congrats on your college grad! Glad you're figuring out the dog issues and that he's doing better for your efforts. Sometimes we just have to enjoy the moment we're in (graduation) and then move on to the next one (tree trimming and gift wrapping). You can get that stuff done this week and have a lovely Christmas! Woo hoo! Report Inappropriate Comment

Some good news today

Friday, December 17, 2010

I finally heard from Toby's vet and learned that the problems we've been having with him are not related to any heart problems as the vet feared. What wonderful news! Instead, we need to be proactive as he ages. the vet prescribed a vitamin for aging dogs called Geriform (sp?) and is also going to give us some information about a prescription dog food we may want to try. She is also going to prescribe a mild sedative we can give him when he can't settle down and disrupts our sleep. I can pick these things up this Saturday. Fortunately, the weather was warm enough that he could sleep outside in his winterized kennel last night, so I got a good night's sleep as well. Things are definitely looking brighter! I'm really glad we got him into the vet so that we can all get back on track for the holidays. Thank you all for your support. I know some people who don't have pets probably don't understand, but those who do "get it" completely. To a lot of us, pets are part of the family and that's the way it is at our house. I wouldn't change it for anything.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FLOWERDALEJEWEL 12/18/2010 5:30AM

I'm very glad it's not his heart too. My pets are members of my family, when something happens to them it's like something happening to my brother or mother etc. Report Inappropriate Comment

MRILEY123 12/17/2010 11:35AM

Yay! I'm glad it's normal "aging" and nothing serious with his heart. I hope he perks up soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

BJW-FARMGIRL 12/17/2010 11:18AM

Jennifer, I'm so glad you got good news. That's one stress off. We all need a little special care as we get older, I guess. Glad you got some rest, too. Take care and have a good weekend, my friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

Struggling with the season and emotional eating

Thursday, December 16, 2010

This time of year is difficult for many people, I know, and this year I find I am struggling to keep my spirits bright and not fall into a bit of a frump. I think it's because we spent so much time, energy, and money, on planning for our Thanksgiving trip to New York that I am just not at all ready for Christmas, physically or emotionally. I'm trying very hard not to fall into the trap of commercial Christmas. I have already decided to cut way back on shopping and food preparation. I'm not worrying too much about decorating the house for Christmas; it will get done when and if it gets done. However, there's not much I can do about the snowy cold weather which makes driving to work and pretty much everything else more difficult. I'm also stressed because my dog has been having some strange behavioral problems that my vet suspects may actually be health related, maybe even a problem with his heart. I should know more about the test results sometime today. And I suppose it's the time of year that has me thinking a lot about and missing loved family and friends who have passed on. It's odd though, because it's really hit me harder this year for some reason. Everything I'm feeling right now is probably compounded by the fact that I'm barely getting by on 4-5 hours of poor sleep a night. Now I'm fighting hard to remind myself that just because I'm having some stress and depression doesn't mean it's OK to comfort myself with food. It's become a daily argument! One day this week I had to stop by the store on the way home and I grabbed a bag of bridge mix chocolate candy in the checkout line almost without thinking about it. I ripped it open in the car and had nearly half of it gone before I got home. I felt bad about giving in to chocolate, but not that bad. It was a wake-up call for me though that I'm falling into the trap of emotional eating and that I really just can't go there. It's a struggle, but I don't want to enter the New Year pounds heavier because of a stressful December. Lord, please help me to keep things in perspective and remember to enjoy the season and all my blessings rather than focusing on the things I cannot control. And please, I could really use a good night's sleep! Amen.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUSIEWHITE1109 12/16/2010 10:38AM

Hey Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear about the stress, and especially your dog...I understand how upsetting that must be. I am also an emotional eater, and have struggled to "hang on" through the months of November and December...some days go well, other days...not so great. I think blogging about how you're feeling is a great step, and I hope that the encouragement of your Spark friends will help you get through today...one day at a time! Happy holiday season to you, and prayers for your beloved doggie! Susie Report Inappropriate Comment

BJW-FARMGIRL 12/16/2010 10:30AM

Oh, Jennifer, I'm so sorry about all this. Let us know what you find out about Toby. Just do what you want to do about the decorating. Sometimes a little tree can be just enough when your time is short and days are long. I sure hope you can get some sleep tonight. Keep drinking your water; just make the best decisions you can. I know sometimes the "let down" from a big event can take awhile to get over. Keep your chin up and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We'll get through whatever life sends us. Thanks for the goodie! I know when I gave out a bunch of goodies the other day I came away from it with an improved outlook. Hope it helped you, too! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONICAM 12/16/2010 10:02AM

I am also an emotional eater and someone who has not been getting that much sleep. Report Inappropriate Comment

BAILEYSMOM7 12/16/2010 9:13AM

Ugh. I feel your pain all the way around. I hope your dog is okay. I am so sorry. I intentionally went on one of my "rounds" of restrictive diet during December because I knew I would be stress eating, etc. I have had little cheats here and there (we ALL do). As I type this, I am sitting in my kitchen having just baked a German Chocolate Brownie bar with caramel sauce for a party I have tonight. I didn't even lick the spoon....but the temptation is great. Yes, things will get done when they get done. You have a great attitude! I haven't purchased ONE Christmas gift yet and I don't plan on purchasing much. I will make a nice Christmas breakfast, have them open a few small gifts and enjoy the day. :) Best of luck. You are going GREAT. Report Inappropriate Comment