DON'T TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW

I get so tired of all the "experts" who are on TV this time of year - actually now that fat is the new enemy of America, they are on TV all the time - telling us all kinds of stuff we already know.  Do those people think we don't know we should eat less and exercise?  Not call it a diet?  (Like calling it a Health Plan changes what it is.) That sugar is bad and veggies are good?  Wow!  Who knew?

Each one has his or her special plan and words of wisdom.  I am sure that sometimes people hear something that strikes them in a new way, that motivates them or gives them a mantra to help them get through the tough days of changing their habits.  And without a doubt, it does take a change in your life, not a temporary change in what you eat to be succesful in the long run.  It is just very irritating to hear these (frequently emmaciated) people suggesting that the satisfaction of "just have this instead of that" works for everyone, forever.  And one size fits all.

 Rant over.

I have lost 3 pounds.

BACK AGAIN.

After a few false starts and gaining a lot more weight.  I am finally back on track.  This is only day 2 but I know it is going to stick.  It was pretty humiliating in November when I found myself at an all time high weight, and again today when I had to put my measurements into my log and they were increased over the last entry by many inches overall.

It was November when I realized I was depressed over the job loss/jobless situation and saw a doctor about it. I am much more myself now and I need to take responsibility for what I have allowed to happen.  I am just glad that I was, at least, continuing to exercise a few days a week.

I will try not to whine and moan.  No promises, though!  My immediate goal for my weight is to improve my knee pain, and to get into my next size down set of clothes and to fit in comfortably in an airline set to go to Philadelphia to see Maggie's graduation in May.

FRUSTRATION

Sometimes I hate the weekends. I know that I do it to myself to an extent because I feel that I have to take care of everyone else and then fit my needs in.

Ally had to to to meet a group to work on a school project. There were numerous phone calls and texts exchanged last evening making arrangements and setting the time. So she needed to be there at 11. Tom has gone out for a long bike ride and I am hanging around all morning, dressed for the gym. Then the time is changed to 11:30 because someone had to go to church. Ally is mad that I question why she didn't know last night she was going to church?

Finally it is almost time to go and she announces she needs $20. Well, I spent most my cash yesterday at the farmer's market. So now Tom is home so she goes to him for the money and he says he'll take her and get money on the way. And off they go.

So I have waited around all morning and now I am not even driving her. Geez. At that point I said forget it, I'm not going to the gym. I changed clothes and went out to work on a mosaic. It was colder than I thought, I went back in to change again and realized that I wasn't feeling enthusiastic about the mosaic and I should just make myself go to the gym.

So I did. I worked out pretty hard, too. I tried the elliptical machine again - only lasted 10 minutes. But I will keep trying.

No sooner was I home again than I had to go pick Ally up, the video camera they were using ran out of batteries. Planning is not the forte of this group.

HOLDING STEADY

My weight is holding steady. I have purchased some new foods which I think will be more satisfying and help keep my calories lower.

I saw an interesting story about weight loss and the slower metabolism which takes over at my age.

First was to add intervals to workouts - which I realize I had been doing in the past, but have let down on in my efforts to up my resistance. So I will concentrate on adding the intervals back.

Go slow on the weight lifting to break down more muscle fiber which then takes more energy to rebuild.

Take fish oil. Makes me nauseous, but I do.

Drink ice water! Weird - but I already do. It is supposed to increase metabolism to warm it to body temp.

Eat breakfast which I do.

Drink coffee - I drink tea. But it is about the caffeine. Also drink green tea, which I have now added to my iced tea pitcher.

Protein at lunch. Eat salmon. Duh.

Don't drink alcohol - it slows metabolism for 72 hours. Damn.

A LITTLE BREAK

I took a little break from my program to enjoy the long weekendwith Maggie. I wasn't toooo bad, as I went to the gym twice. But I did eat somewhat freely.

Tomorrow I weigh in and start again!

STILL (MOSTLY) ON PLAN

I have had a couple of days I have gone over plan on the "lean & green" meals. Mosstly when trying to split them between lunch and dinner. I had a brief compulsive eating binge on Sunday night - but I listed all the items and still didn't break 1400 calories. I keep trying to understand these feelings behind these impulses. Trying to find some sort of satisfaction or something. I can't say. Sunday night is always a tense time for me.

I weighed in today and I am down 2 more pounds.

WEEKEND WEIGH IN

Now this is more like it. I have lost 6 pounds this week. I know that the first week is always a high number - but I'll take it.

I had a good workout today, I took Friday off because I was sore from my earlier work-outs. I increased the weight and resistance on all the machines.

I think I was right that I needed the reduced choices offered by this plan. I hope I can continue it for some time.