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1/3/12 8:12 A

Do not, I repeat, do not introduce YLAB to TPFH. I would not want to meet up with their mutant offspring.

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12/31/11 1:32 P

I love a good underdog story!
I also commute at the crack o' dawn, and every day for 3 years, one of my neighbor's yappy little ankle biters quite suddenly jumped out at me. Since it was as alarming on day 730 as it was on day 1, I'm happy to report that as of last week, my neighbor finally figured out that it would be nice to keep YLAB inside in the mornings! A new year indeed!

Edited by: 2WHEELEDSHARON at: 12/31/2011 (13:38)

Posts: 11,715
12/30/11 8:14 A

Hello :)

I am here to report on a small bit o' sweetness. Right now, the moments are generally small ones, so I figure, share 'em everywhere.

So.

I walk down a long block to get to the bus stop. No great excitement there. However, that block also contains ... drum roll please ....

THE POODLE FROM HADES

The Poodle from Hades (AKA TPFH) is a big, black, impeccably coiffed dog that tries to bite, well, pretty much everyone. I have seen TPFH for years. TPFH is generally not out at the crack o' dawn like I am, so I am usually safe these days. See, folks, there is a reason for keeping an insanely early schedule.

Anyway, for the past coupla days (although not today, but it's MF'in' COLD outside so this is kinda understandable), I have been seeing this kinda shlemiel-y looking dude walking his big black poodle. This poodle is not impeccably coiffed.

And this poodle (whose name I do not know, neither do I know the dude, so I will call them Ira and Smoky - er, Ira would be the dude) is shy but sweet. I now have a friend. Or two, perhaps.

Now, I wear enough layers to make Eskimos envious and I have a big, bright blue hat that sticks straight up above my head and, possibly, will one day shoot off my head and go straight into orbit due to static electricity.

Yet Ira and Smoky are happy to see me.

I wonder if Ira thinks I'm hitting on him.

Smoky, on the other hand, listens to me talk baby talk to him as I smile and pet and make a fuss.

As for TPFH, I have not seen an impeccably coiffed hair for months.

I suspect Smoky vanquished TPFH.

It's always the quiet ones.

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12/6/11 12:26 A

Sharon, that would definitely be a DOH -- Vashon is 1) west coast 2) it's an island (this Pisces loves islands) 3) full of crazy, hip souls 4) there are great things to do, places to hang out, good eats 5) YOU and Janice are there -- yeah, I know I'd love it!!!

Awww...Ann, we seem to be a community of encouragement and cheering, huh! And you're so right about the value of reading other's check-ins. Yep. And I like your new focus and intention to pay attention.

Like Sharon also said -- planning makes sense! What is the saying..."If you fail to plan, plan to fail." Something like that...and it's definitely true for me. Eating well takes time, no question about it.

xox
Maha

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12/5/11 7:41 P

Maha, you would love Vashon, there's a whole anti inflammation movement on the island. The grocery store and restaurants all have anti inflammatory items. And it's true for me that when I track my foods, I eat a lot less inflammatory foods because I replace them with veggies. How about that!
Thanks for sharing that great article, I love a good perspective check.
Ann, I'm learning the importance of planning and preparing too, it's such a pain, but it makes the difference between a good week and an irresponsible one.

Posts: 589
12/4/11 6:29 P

Hey, thanks for the encouragement and cheering, Maha!! After the reality check/funk day 21 brought with it, I feel better already with just a day and a half of keeping the focus on what's most healthy.

It does help to read everyone's check-ins, doesn't it? The overlap of experience is amazing and it's inspiring to hear how we each try to deal. Thanks for the sharing.

A new focus for me is to monitor my energy. My sleep is chronically haphazard and I'm often too tired to shop or cook well for myself, which is a set-up for failure and can lead to either not eating at all or eating all the wrong things. I'm not sure how best to do it but at least I can try to shop well when I am rested! Maybe I can cook ahead when I'm feeling good too. It's not my style to make ahead but I can learn!

~ann

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12/4/11 2:12 P

I'm sooooooooo very grateful that I dropped 2.2 lbs. this week. I posted it on my goals check-in for this week. I can see that overall movement toward whole, unprocessed foods is the key to having moderate total calories each day. LOTS and LOTS of fruit and vegetables vs. other go-to foods.

When I had one of those 2000+ calories days this week and posted my frustration on my status, RAYLINSTEPHENS, who went from 210 to 115 lbs. and has maintained it over a year, said "fruits and veggies - freggies - got me to my goal! Whenever the scale moves the wrong 'weigh,' I just add some freggies to my day!" Team mate PANDADOT had a similar high calorie day and said, "I was also a bit dumbfounded - luckily today is another day! Fruits and veggies, ahoy!"

So for me, whole and unprocessed seems to be one of the keys. And continuing to challenge myself toward exercise consistency (ugh) is the other key.

Oh, and I wanted to share this:

Andrew Weil, MD, the Harvard-trained physician who is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, has a new book out, _Spontaneous Happiness_, which focuses on the dangers of our over-medicated society, and how constant happiness is not natural or even desirable (not sure I agree with the desirable part LOL).

My friend Gail heard him interviewed on NPR's Science Friday by Ira Flatow. He said that the basic key to health and happiness is through 1) diet 2) exercise 3) meditation. Purdy easy formula, eh. (HA! We know better than that, huh.)

He is a proponent of what he calls an "Anti-Inflamatory Diet" which he sees as profoundly contributing to optimal health. Weil says, “Following an anti-inflammatory diet can help counteract the chronic inflammation that is a root cause of many serious diseases, including those that become more frequent as people age. It is a way of selecting and preparing foods based on science that can help people achieve and maintain optimum health over their lifetime.”
www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti
-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html

Posts: 3,157
12/4/11 12:02 P

I remember that article. I hear you! I've been trying to adopt a consistent lifestyle change, which I know requires patience with fluctuation and trusting the process and all that, but I'm also discouraged with my recent gain. Ho hum.
Other Sparkfriends have been telling me that after 2 or 3 years, they're still having the same struggles but stay focused on the accomplishments they've made, like they can work out without passing out, or they eat more veggies than they used to. That's a pretty realistic approach I can appreciate even when I'm fed up.

Posts: 589
12/3/11 3:42 P

Are you adopting a diet or a lifestyle? - Healthy Heart Newsletter

This article from Sparkpeople had been in my inbox for a week before I read it just now. (sorry, don't know how to link it) I knew it wouldn't be anything I hadn't heard before but I also know it's a huge part of my struggle with these last pounds. I am so tired of the dieting! I am also tired of my constantly fluctuating size. The pants don't lie.

So, the article makes a lot of sense...another good thing to read. I guess I just don't know how to get there from here! Feeling a little discouraged...

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11/26/11 11:55 A

The shared meal sounds quite wonderful Sharon! And yay for any sort of getaway plans for Janauary!
xox

Posts: 3,157
11/25/11 12:30 P

Maha, you're so thoughtful. I wish I could consider that, but I can't get the time off work.
My sister and I are working up some kind of plan in January, not sure where yet, and honestly, I don't care! There aren't too many places I wouldn't go:)
Ann, I hope all is well with you and that you had a nice holiday!
Mine was very blessed, I had a magical day taking the women at the shelter to a restaurant that donated full Thanksgiving lunches for us.
Now to just get everybody through to Christmas, and myself! I've had a very unfocused week and I feel like this:


Let's have a great week, friends!

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11/23/11 5:15 P

Sharon, perhaps you should consider coming to the New Year's Yoga Retreat???!!!

Are you on Facebook?

www.facebook.com/events/251201501602430/

Maybe this page will open even if you're not.

OK, Ann...we'll make it happen one way or another...I feel it in my bones!!!

Posts: 589
11/23/11 1:57 A

Rendezvous? Oh, yes please.

Remaining open to possibilities and wonderful opportunities sounds so good. I hope you hold on to that. Glad you're feeling better, Sharon, and thanks for the holiday wishes. May yours also be lovely!

~Ann

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11/22/11 9:18 P

Oh Maha, that is so very exciting, congrats! Yay you for taking advantage of a wonderful opportunity.
During my meditation tonight, it occured to me that it may be time for me to go somewhere out of my own stomping grounds. I haven't been elsewhere in years because I don't love to travel, but what was I saying about taking advantage of wonderful opportunities!? I'll remain open to possibilities.
In the meantime, I've had a rough few days behaving myself with food, but I've accomplished fighting off a full-on flu, so I'm ok with that being my focus. Today was much better, and I even did an hour of circuit training.
I hope you all have a blessed and peaceful holiday!

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11/22/11 2:28 P

We're warriors together "slogging" it out with all those demons that try to take over control!

Well, I have some very good news indeed -- San Francisco booked Dec 13-Jan 7 with a yoga retreat in Santa Barbara to bring in the new year. That makes up (and more) for spending Thanksgiving with lovely me-myself-and-I!!!

I met my teacher, Swami Satchidananda, at this Santa Barbara venue, Casa de Maria, in 1981 (and the rest, as they say, is history)! And the swami that organized it, was the "house mother" when I lived for 4 years at the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco. I'll be rooming with my best friend in the world, Diana, from Maui and another best friend, who I used to stay with on the Big Island when I had a business in the islands and she lived there. (She lives in Marin Co. now.)

So interesting how the mind swing to and fro: I was crying and crying six hours ago...and for the last three hours I haven't been able to stop smiling.

Maha
P.S.Ann, s'pose we could rendezvous???

Posts: 589
11/22/11 2:12 P

I don't yet have the habit of checking these discussions and it was a nice surprise to find you all here.

Slogging's a good word for me right now! The last couple of days have been inexplicably crazy in the eating department and I am feeling pretty low about it today, as I cannot claim ignorance. I know very well what to do and am not doing it.

I don't know about astrology but I've embraced many many many words as wisdom regarding the need for self care, in its many forms, and still have such trouble embodying any of it. It is my number one struggle.

So, I begin again.

(perhaps a tattoo...)
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself

Edited by: ABURRIS2 at: 11/22/2011 (14:13)

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11/22/11 9:27 A

Sharon - sorry you're fighting the flu, but love the idea of "Cosmotherapy" .

Today's rings true on many levels...
"Connecting your goals with the goals of other people will help you make major headway today. There is power in numbers."
Now, if only I can get into gear!

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11/21/11 7:20 P

Ok, I'm fighting off a flu so definitely not gung ho. Now that I'm here, I see how much I needed some Cosmotherapy! Here's mine:
"Judge a moth by the beauty of its candle," said the 13th-century poet Rumi. More prosaically put: Evaluate people according to the nobility and integrity of the desires they're obsessed with. Do you want to hang around with someone whose primary focus is to make too much money or please her parents or build a shrine to his own ego? Or would you prefer to be in a sphere of influence created by a person who longs to make a useful product or help alleviate suffering or make interesting works of art? It's an excellent time to ponder these issues, Taurus -- and then take action to ensure you're surrounded by moths that favor beautiful candles."

Repeating:
It is paramount that I take good care of myself

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11/21/11 5:38 P

No "gung ho" here either. Hmmmm...let's see what my fav astrology source sez:

"It won't be enough to simply maintain your current levels of strength, clarity, and intelligence in the coming weeks. To stay healthy, to keep up with the rapidly evolving trends swirling in and around you, you will have to actively push to get stronger, clearer, and smarter. No pressure, right? Don't worry, the universe will be conspiring to help you accomplish it all. To trigger the boost you'll need, imagine that you have a reservoir of blue liquid lightning in the place between your heart and gut. Picture yourself drawing judiciously from that high-octane fuel as you need it, bringing it first to your heart and then to your brain."
www.freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/pisce
s.html

OK! Sooooo...where's that "blue liquid lightning" when I need it...like N.O.W!

Repeat after me:
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself
It is paramount that I take good care of myself

Thanks for the excellent affirmation Becky!

Maha

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11/21/11 10:23 A

And a great conduit it is.

My horoscope (yes I check it) was interesting today.

"If you're feeling a little moody and slow right now, don't fight it. You don't have to try to figure out why you're going through this phase. Just for today, let yourself feel what you're feeling, and try not to judge yourself too harshly. There is no such thing as a bad emotion -- all emotions are natural, and if you get too hung up on labeling feelings as bad or good, you run the risk of pushing yourself with unreasonable expectations."

I am not gung-ho on much right now and that's OK. I'm glad Maha posted this challenge and while I may not 'spring' into action as the days get shorter, it's important to me to remember taking good care of myself is paramount.

Namaste.

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11/20/11 12:39 A

We're not gonna' let the team fizzle, 'cause the 12 of us are committed to taking good care of ourselves through these holidays and this team is our conduit!

I'll be "out of pocket" tomorrow, big work project stuff to get done. So no checking on on the team. Back on Monday, at least minimally!

Rock on team!

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11/19/11 12:00 P

I feel the slop! My weekends have a lot of slop in them, so I'll be here trying to slog new weekend habits.
Maha, if this team fizzles out, I just want you to know that I've made a couple friends from it, so thank you, your effort paid off for me!
Have a great weekend!

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11/19/11 9:11 A

How about BOOKMARKing this page and coming here to complain, toot our horns, share concerns, moan, and help each other to keep on keeping on???

In any case, I'm starting this thread to see if it fills a need for us as a forum for support and feedback....

Typing the topic, I made a typo -- "Keeping company slopping through...." -- and almost left it, ' 'cause it's sorta' the way I feel -- "slop, slop, slop" -- LOL!

Edited by: VALERIEMAHA at: 11/19/2011 (09:19)