Thursday October 12

Weight 117, calories 812. Coming down slowly from my carb days...

DS says that the house he was living in in Napa just prior to moving home is probably gone. They had to evacuate a couple of days ago. My brother, in San Jose, says the smoke is choking everyone. So many disasters (natural and otherwise) this year.

I'm down to 20 workdays. I've been told I have to come to a dinner with my former department on November 7. I'll like seeing the people but it is probably going to be some sort of retirement celebration. I hate that stuff!

Weight: 131.8
Macros: Cals - 1,490, Carbs - 195, Fat - 37, Protein - 89, Fiber - 29
Veggies/Fruits (goal 8): 8.5
Sleep (goal 8 hours): 4 hours
Exercise: Aquarobics

Long post here from me this morning ....

Yesterday's 8 V/Fs came from baby carrots, butter lettuce, a small apple, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, water chestnuts, red peppers, strawberries and blueberries.

I've now done my little back-of-the-envelope analysis of the effects of calorie intake (measured as "moving 30-day daily calorie averages") to weight maintenance (measured by "moving 30-day average weights), as well as the new factor I introduced about 6 weeks ago of trying to eat 8 vegetables and fruits daily. You may recall that I've been wondering whether I've lost these last 3 pounds as a result of eating fewer calories or is it due (in some as yet unexplained way) to the addition of the extra V/Fs to my diet?

As the following graphs show, it appears there's some kind of weight loss influence being exerted by the addition of these extra V/Fs (up from 4-5/day to 7-8/day). This undefined influence could be due to (see my new hypotheses below):

1. The additional V/F fiber in my current diet is speeding up elimination (the "I was full of ****" hypothesis)

2. The additional V/F foods I've been eating require my body to spend more energy metabolizing them (the "Gandhi was skinny for a reason" hypothesis)

3. The additional V/Fs (fiber and other nutrients) make me crave fewer sweets and reduce the number of days I eat over 2,000 calories (the "Weigh****chers wasn't lying" hypothesis)

4. All of the above

5. None of the above and due to something(s) else

One thing I do know is that, regardless of my interpretation of the calorie and morning weight data, the data are legit (I'm a My Fitness Pal junkie).

Nonetheless, I have also noticed that in the last several days my 30-day-moving averaged daily calories metric has dropped below 1700 calories. I want to get that back up to my "historic" maintenance daily caloric intake. After all, I love to eat! I also don't want to obsess any more than I already am about maintaining my weight (which is probably already WAY too much for y'all). Mostly, I just find data fascinating, including this collection of data about myself ... she said, looking over her shoulder a little nervously.

Seriously, I am aware, a la Carl Jung, that all our strengths have "shadow" issues.

And then there's this: This morning at 8:30 hubby and I will meet with his oncologist to learn the results of his recent PET scan. So my high demand for control illustrated above could not POSSIBLY be going at full throttle now. No. Surely not.

VERY interesting! Good luck at the appointment this morning.

Thanks, Liz!

Ann, I vote for #3, all of the above! Hope the appointment goes well.

Again, I didn't weigh this morning. I did weigh last night before bed, though, and was pleased to see I weighed less than I did on Tuesday morning. Step in the right direction.

Smoke is bad here. School districts just north have closed for today. Our superintendent considered closing, but decided to keep us open today. I think it was the correct choice. We have a great HVAC system, wonderful filters, and a way to circulate air without drawing in outside air. It's more pleasant in my classroom than at home, as far as clean air goes. The absolute best thing about the school closures nearby is that my commute time was cut down by more than half! I got to school a good 20 minutes before I usually do. Loved having the "gift" of time this morning.

Weight is becoming an issue for me once again. Just need to reduce a bit to feel comfortable in my skin. What's new, right?

My question for myself today is this: Why, when you know how to eat to lose weight, are you so hesitant to do so? What are you afraid of losing by eating well? My pondersome-crazy-quilt of a mind's thought of the day!

I think of both you and DianeS (who is currently safe in Nebraska) as I read about those terrible fires. Feeling fortunate to be able to enjoy the outdoors compared to so many other areas of the country. And I esp can't imagine all of those who have lost absolutely everything.