Wednesday, June 29th

Happy Hump Day Marvelous Maintainers !!

    Have I mentioned lately how much I love my family of choice !? Each and every one of you contribute so much to my daily efforts and successes. I am so grateful!!

134.4 today. My food was back on plan yesterday. I can definitely relate to the lure of the sugar siren !! Linda, ice cream is also a tremendous temptation and trigger for me. Unlike you, my restriction doesn't limit my consumption, but a sick feeling from too much sugar does. I am trying to find the balance between limiting and off limits. I am now beginning to understand that categorizing anything as "off limits" amplifies cravings dramatically for me... much more than having a little taste and moving on. I also know if little tastes become routine, those bad habits will strengthen and multiply. Working on the balance.

Have a fabulous day all !

Mornin' ya Marvies!

OK, no vaca pics because of technical issues here in the wild.  Hopefully, we can spend a few minutes where there is wifi in several days.  

We saw more moose yesterday, a bit closer than the parks service would advise.  No one told the moose about the 25 ft rule as she trundled up the path at us.  What a bullwinkle! I wanted to pet that giant head but survival instincts took over as I trotted off-path onto the tundra (also not advised) to give her space.

Also close encounters with beavers in lake that were showing off their sidestroke while dragging limbs off to the giant dam.

You artistic types would do this far more justice than me -- but even I am amazed at marked change in color palate between states/regions. I have always mocked paint companies for naming color families after locations but I (no surprise) was wrong.  The trees/earth/fallen needles have different hues than Seattle. The light is different, too.  (DianeO, I remember you commenting about the light being different in SoCal which I agree with too.) Even the available t-shirt colors are different.  

Oh!  Visited the sled dogs yesterday, the only working sled dog team in the park service.  So SO cool.  There was a short demo/presentation then we were free to visit all the dogs and pet them if we chose. (Of course, we chose!)  Met a college kid who (in my opinion) won the lottery of all lotteries for summer jobs.  He is spending his summer caring for sled dogs.  He was sprawled on the ground with a sled dog hanging over his lap as we chatted. 

Steps >30,000 yesterday, my official Fitbit record.  Spent a good portion of day  Worried that I would lose the Fitbit and chance to sync.  Today will be less as we take a bus deeper into the park.

Wish you were here, 

Shel

Keep those vivid updates coming !!!  Love, love !!!

Please keep those daily recounts coming! Love reading about your trip. Alaska is sort of a "bucket list" place for me, but there are so many places in the lower 48 I have yet to see. 

Crazy busy day today, but taking care of myself first includes reading everyone's updates and posting my own.  The thought crossed my mind that I am unable to walk today because I have a client coming in at 3:00 and documents must be finalized...  My walk is only half an hour.  I deserve a half an hour.  I am overworked. I am doing the best that I can do. 

Walking apparently keeps me sane because I feel so much better now that I am back on my walking schedule, especially because I did not have my mid-afternoon stairs mantra. [I. (step) will. (step) try. (step) to. (step) make. (step) the. (step) very. (step) best. (step)decisions. (step) for. myself. today (step)]

So off I go.  Thank you everyone for your stories and encouragement.  It helps so much.

Love the mantra!  Self care is so important and I would bet that this group skimped on it in the past.  It is inspiring to see you take care of you!  thanks for posting. 

Down a pound. An undeserved gift from the scale gods! LOL! Actually, my eating was more controlled yesterday and I chose to eat some sugar purposely to monitor the effects. I spent a little time, too, relooking at information on sugar consumption and sugar addiction. I had forgotten what a debated subject food addiction is in the medical community. 

Anyhow, I went to bed mulling over my level of difficulty with sugared foods. I believe I'm somewhere just over the halfway mark between "absolutely no problem whatsoever" and "out of control, helpless, sugar addict". I'm also more of a grazer of sugar than volume binger. Even pre sleeve that was my method. I was never one to sit down and eat a bag of cookies or pint of ice cream. I'm more of a bite here and a bite there all day long type of guy. I did however, pre sleeve, love to eat huge meals and feel very full, but I did not do that with sugary foods. 

So, where does this info leave me? Not exactly sure except that I know I WANT (which for me is very different than NEED) to let the go for a while. As much as I dislike the idea, I'm thinking that abstinence in the short term is the way to go. I am unsure where moderation will fit in eventually, but for now I am only going to work on gradually getting clean. 

I will journal more later today since I have to get ready and leave to pick up a friend who has taken her car in for service. If it's worth sharing I'll post again. 

Thanks for listening and being accepting of me and my sugar rollercoaster. It's so nice not to have to be embarrassed with you all. 

Greetings Dear Family

Isn't it nice to choose your family? I mean we chose our spouses but thats about it. Hubby came with a great family. Mine is kind of nuts but oh well. 

Down to 130.5 today.  Can feel that 2 creeping back if I behave myself.

Love Love the descriptions of Denali, Shel. Many years ago we took that bus ride deep into the park to a good view spot of the mountain. We stupidly took no food and went 12 hours without eating. Don't make that mistake. Saw huge bears on the way. When I lived in the midwest I had friends with a team of huskies that were sled dogs. Practiced with a cart when there was no snow. I got to ski on my cross countries with a sled dog dragging me once. Fun

Yeah, too much sugar makes me feel sort of sick too. I used to be the sugar addict of the universe. I was one big Reese's Peanut butter cup. Now I just don't crave it so much.  No clue why. What I do eat too much of is cheese. Grab and go food. But getting back into grapes which is a low cal food even though Dr, C doesn't approve of much fruit. What am I supposed to do - walk around with a bag of spinach leaves?

Kairk keep at the sugar war. You will keep it at bay. Not being around the stuff is half the battle I think.

Puppy is sleeping so I can have another quiet cup of coffee. yay.  Diane S

Odds of seeing Denali:  10%

Odds of me not knowing about lack of food:  0%.  :) 

159.9#... Movement.  

I love hearing about daily life, trips, puppies and the struggles ( probably the most important ).  

My day started working out on the stair master, elliptical and then strength training with my beloved trainer, Amy.  Body Flow tonight.  Nothing else on the agenda today except puttering around the house and water the garden this evening.  

Have a great day!  Thanks for being my "family of choice"!  Love that!!!