So Close to Onderland

 Hi everyone,

Well, I am soooooo close to onderland I can taste it.  

Work is extremely stressful and I am working 10-11  hr days and that includes working through lunch.  Stress for me means chocolate.  YES, I SAID CHOCOLATE.  I am working on this very hard as I do not want to go back on Cholesterol medication.

I joined a Zumba class 2 weeks ago for Monday classes.  I enjoyed it so much I signed up for Wednesdays as well.  I now leave @ 4pm Mon & Wed so I can have dinner cooked and left in a warmer for my family and me when we all get home like at 7:30 / 8:00 pm.  

Zumba is a big stress relieve for me, especially since I am extremely busy.  I am an extremely valuable asset to the company, extremely overworked, exhausted and yet underpaid.  I thank GOD however that I have a job and eventually the financial side will work itself out.

As for onderland, I go from 210 to 207 to 210 to 205 to 210……..Sometimes I think my scale is just on crack (LOL).  I have stopped weighing myself everyday.  I know the inches are still coming off but have not done my measurements in a while.  My size 18 pants are falling off.  Size 16 were very snug but fit and now with Zumba in motion there is more breathing room.

However, at 1.7 mos. out my hair is still falling out like crazy.  I see my surgeon on Friday and hopefully he can shed some light.  My bloodwork is all A+++ with the exception of my cholesterol because of the CHOCOLATE.  Hmmmm

Well, hope you are all fine.  I don't post much anymore.  After work etc. I just want to work on a jigsaw puzzle or play with my Farm on FB.

Much love to all of you
Annette

Annette,

While I see you on FB, it's so nice to see you post, we've missed you here on the Cali Forum.  I know how busy you are with work, me too and I am thankful each day that I have a job that I love as you do.

How cool about zumba, I'm going to have to check that out.  I have two left feet though so not too sure how that would work.  LOL    I was in onderland and I've crept back up so I am working hard on trying to get back there again.  UGH, dang bad habits.  Today I'm going back on my protein shakes and yogurt for a snack.  This has GOT to change NOW before I get way out of control!!!

Congrats on your weight loss. I think it's time for a new OH avatar too :-)

Come back more often, cuz we miss you.

Hugs and congrats,
Barb

 Awe, thanks Barb.

You will get back to where you were because you are a determined person.  I too shall overcome my obstacle.  I see my surgeon tomorrow.  I am still losing hair like in the beginning, maybe he can shed some light.  

Yes I do love my job, and in order for things to change for me for the better I have started a file and am documenting, documenting, documenting.   We are working on a $2.5 mil bid right now and if we get the job, I need someone that can perform.  Keep your fingers crossed.

I will change my avatar as well.  Maybe even tonight.

It is so good to hear from you Annette! Since your jeans are falling off you must be doing something right. I am glad you have a couple of things to do besides work. Remember all work and no play is just no fun at all!

 Hi Elizabeth,

My you are looking awesome.

I truly do love my Zumba classes.  When I register for the next series I may just do 3 days a week instead of 2.  If my son would ever save an hour of his time for me and we could come up with the same hour he could actually do an hour of kickboxing with me.

When I asked him what he thought about me getting a personal trainer he looked at me and said:
"Mom - you know what I do for work right?  I'm a personal trainer".   Duh, I know that, problem is he works M-F even longer hours than I do and his gym is in Costa Mesa.  Not worth the gas and time spent on the 405 for me to drive there.  He also works Sat mornings then we don't see him until Sunday night sometime.  Oh well.

As for the clothes fitting better, if I don't find anything at the coffee on Saturday I may decide to call in sick on Monday and do a little retail therapy for me.  Hmm, fiscal year end, payroll, wonder how many times the office would call me.  LOL

Have a good one

Have you thought about doing sugar-free chocolates? Might be a bit less damage? Are you supplementing with magnesium or eating other magnesium rich foods? Some theories are that the cravings for chocolate are from lack of certain nutrients like calcium and magnesium.

 As for sugar-free, yes I eat those as well.  I have started packing snack size baggies w/wheat thins this week.  

As for calcium I eat plenty and then some of cheese, take 2 tables 2x / day of calcium tablets.  I have no clue what foods contain magnesium, but I will look that up.

I see my surgeon tomorrow and will also discuss this chocolate / stress thing I have going on.  

Since I am also a smoker, what I did yesterday and today when i was frustrated with my co-worker and one of the bosses, I grabbed a cig and walked to the corner and back.   I am trying hard to stay off the chocolate, not kill my co-worker or female boss.

I'll post if I find something that really helps me to get away from the chocolate.  

Thanks for your response.  I will look into magnesium rich foods.

I completely understand what you mean about being overworked and underpaid! I work for a non-public center based program for children with Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders -- This means we get funded by the state. When the state cuts back, we get cut. It's no fun. . . .Workloads triple! But I am a firm believer in there always being a light at the end of the tunnel. . .so I hope it starts looking up for you so you aren't as stressed!

Zumba looks like a blast -- I have skipped across the website once or twice and I think you might have inspired me to go for it!

Keep up the hard work, it's going to pay off!! :)

 BIG PROPS TO YOU - It takes a very special person to work with developmental disorders and Autistic children or people regardless of age.  

Being state funded I can see why you are stressed.  My stress is because I work with literally dumb ass people.  However, I know better than to sit at my desk and eat chocolate.  WTH am I even doing?  Yeah I know, sabotaging everything.  Since I have now put it in writing and have owned up to it I need to change it and I am working on it.  I concur that yes, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and of course everything happens for a reason.  I also believe that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I guess the biggest reason for my stress is that I care.  I am the Office Manager, Corporate Secretary, Notary Public, A/P Manager, Collections Manager, HR Manager, Health & Safety Officer, and the list goes on.  Owners are pretty much retired and come in just to drive me nuts and do personal things.  I have absolutely no use for either of them in the office as I am able to sign everything including my own paycheck.  If they would cut their hours to 2 days a week in the office I know this would clear about 1/3 of my stress.  Removing the office clerk and I am working on that, would remove the other 2/3.  

As for Zumba, I absolutely love it.  may add a 3rd night.  I go through parks and rec here in Lakewood because it is so much cheaper than going through the gym.  I have not done any type of exercise besides walking here and there in 30 years.  if I can do it, anyone can do it.  Of course I have always loved dancing.  

Thanks for posting.  Hoping you decide to sign up for Zumba.  Pure Cardio for 1 hour.  I leave class a big sweaty mess.