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.

SURVIVED DAY 2

I have done 2 days now on the Medifast program. The products are not very tasty or filling. The funny thing is that I received some samples from a company called New Lifestyles and those products have been tasty.

Day one I had a cinnamon bar, then a vanilla "shake" which was totally watery, a "beef stew" that was thick and had some tiny little chunks of stuff and a salad with chicken and low fat dressing for dinner. Then after dinner I had the sample chocolate bar which was dense and a bit chewy.

Day 2 I have had a cinnamon bar, a chocolate shake, a salad with tuna, a sample chocolate pudding (thick) and for dinner I had a very watery "cream" of broccoli soup with added broccoli. I will probably have another pudding or bar tonight.

I feel good, I exercised both days with no negative issues (as warned) and I have not been terribly hungry. So far so good. I will have to work on the food selections, but I have 2 weeks of the Medifast product that I will have to consume. But I think I'll be ordering stuff from the other company, too.

A NEW TACTIC

I have the work out routine in line, going 5 times a week for 1-1.5 hours of exercise. I have pretty much cut out the sugar. I have been using the Alli. I have lost 1 pound. I am still eating too much. I have just not gotten used to working at home, in the kitchen.

So I was looking for a way to narrow my options. I was looking around at the Kaiser website to see what they offer - after all, we are paying $1350 a month for our health care plan. But all the weight loss options they offer are not covered by our plan. They see aiding weight loss along the lines of cosmetic surgery and Lasik -as a money making opportunity. They offer a program using Optifast with a support group, but they will not reveal the cost. You have to sign up and attend a class.

So, I thought I would shop around for other, similar options. I found Medifast online. Their plan is 5 mini pre-made meals and one "lean and green" meal. That appeals to me because I can make a meal for the family and adjust my part to fit the plan.

I could order the shakes, bars, soups, etc. online or drive a few miles to a center. Since I want to start tomorrow - I went to the center.

I had to laugh. It is located in a shopping center which contains a BBQ restaurant, McDonalds, a pizza parlor and was nestled in between Taco Bell and Dairy Queen!!! The clients have to be very dedicated to make it out of the the shopping center with their will power intact!

I bought 2 weeks worth of products...I will report in on the weekend.