Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Weight 120, WW Bluepoints 10. Weight last seen in August 2018! I must have been in a stall the last few weeks, as I was around 122 for quite a while. I am sure I will bounce back up a bit, but this really startled me. I wanted to get to the bottom of 120-123 before I figured out maintenance points and I guess I am there!

Yesterday I straightened DS' room enough so I can sew the slipcovers I owe my SIL in there and took Justice for a good walk. A long walk may not happen today as it is supposed to rain but that's why I wanted the room ready. DS just drapes clothing everywhere which drives me crazy and I can't sew in a cluttered environment (weird, I know).

I talked to my DSD (is that darling step daughter?) at length last night. Up until a week and a half ago she was bunkered down in NJ with her brother, SIL, and their 18 month daughter. They were all working remotely, taking turns with childcare and being very careful. Now she is back in Florida because her employer requires face to face meetings. They have NO rules on masks, etc. And this job is ALL meetings and talking so could be done remotely 100%. Her anxiety is sky-high because she feels like she can't come visit anyone in the family (we are all up north) unless she quarantines. That means a long visit probably including a stay with a friend who already had Covid. It isn't the regulations that bother her, but the fact that she feels that she could be exposed to it at anytime at work and doesn't want to bring it home to anyone. This company is quite well-known but obviously is ostriching like crazy.

DSD's birthday is this weekend and I was at a loss as to what to send, but after talking to her I ordered a box of Sancerre to be delivered. Hopefully she will enjoy it. At 47, with a good income, it is always difficult to know what to give her. DD just got the second of her two birthday gifts (a dinette set and a ****tail table).

Ann, just a hi will do?

Stay safe and healthy!

What a position they put your stepdaughter in! There must be other people working with her that also have families, and small children or family members with imunocompromised issues. Reckless and irresponsible.

It rained last night, but it is another glorious day this morning. We earn our beautiful days, but when they arrive, they do it up right!

Our department chair stepped down this year. There may be some people in our department who would want the position for the power of inside information etc. I've seen them torment other staff, and it doesn't sit right with me. So I decided to apply, and now I am the department chair going forward. The person who was bullied by the other applicant just sent me a thank you email for stepping up. I have mixed feelings about wading into these waters, I'd rather just do my job well and let others do the politics. On the other hand, I do have some ideas, and it might be easier to at least get a hearing from the powers that be...

After work, I have to go buy a life jacket. Time for the maiden voyage of my kayak soon.

Kayaking! Cool!!!!! Something I should put on my bucket list along with yoga and ice skating. n

I hope department chair works out well for you. Politics in education are brutal (I learned that years ago when doing a volunteer program in my daughter's school - long story).

Only 2 people have made a comment to me about the announcement. It could be a long tenure..... by and large our department is pretty functional, and I can honestly say I like my co workers, and there are some I deeply admire. Hoping for the best :)

I just spoke with Ann. She is alive and doing okay physically. I have spoken with her before, but it's been almost a year. I was reminded how much I LOVE her speaking voice. She has a gentle southern flavor to her speech that is so tranquilizing and enveloping. Makes me want to melt into it.

We had two curfews here last night. The little town of Clayton closed down at 6:00 pm. Across the street Concord shut down at 8:00 pm. Apparently some protestors cordially moved to the other side of the street at 6:00 pm to continue their movement. I have heard of no local damage, but I haven't checked out the local social media sites yet. Nothing on the news.

We had estimate #2 today. Both estimates are for refinishing rather than replacing the flooring. Still not sure how we should go. More estimates to come!

Weight is stable. That is good, but I think I am ready to begin creating an eating method/plan that will encourage my body to drop some pounds. i found myself being intrigued by weight loss supplement advertisements yesterday. The nice thing is that my interest only served to solidify my belief that this stuff is crapola!

What do you all think about approaching eating from the standpoint of eating what you like to eat, rather than eating what you think you SHOULD eat? Whenever I 'diet' I approach my food intake from someone else's belief system. In other words, I relinquish control of choice to a program or someone else's nutritional belief system. I was thinking of working within the confines of the foods I like to eat, with the goal of keeping refined foods and sugar in particular, to a minimum. A goal for today is to create a list of "health promoting" foods I like to eat. This may seem like a no brainer, but when surrounded with people and ideas of eat this vegetable and eat that lean protein or fish or seafood, limit your fat intake, OMG!, Don't you dare eat carbs, etc... I have always ended up feeling like I fail in the long run because I am NOT a no carb person, I don't like many vegetables, and my like for fish and seafood is minimal. In fact, most seafood is at it's best, IMO, when it is breaded and fried. I just can't see forcing myself to eat things I really don't like in the name of weight loss.

I know Liz likes fish and I think some others do, too. Just not my thang.... Have you ever noticed that many lower calorie recipes use tomatoes and mushrooms and bell peppers as flavor enhancements and fillers? Also, squash is a big weight loss veggie. All of those are repugnant to me for various reasons - texture being paramount in tomatoes.

BFF is not doing well at all. I knew this was coming and I even warned him that he should have activities planned for this week, but I can only lead him to the idea.... He is a stubborn ass horse! He's got to be dying of thirst, but refuses to drink the water. Best friend shakes head....

Hoping curfew is lifted today or tomorrow and that the protests begin to wane. Here's a brain bender: In my county outdoor gatherings of social nature are to be limited to groups of 12. However, outdoor protests and rallies are limited to 100. WTF? The logic on that one escapes me.

I love bacon. And cheese. Not on anyone's list of healthy food. I eat them and still lose weight. I don't much like fish or poultry. Sometimes both can be prepared in a way I find palatable, but I don't eat a lot of either. I think you should absolutely base your diet on foods you like. Within them, I'm sure, are both healthy foods, and some others deem unhealthy. Find the super foods or healthy foods you like and lean on them for nutrition. I could probably eat fresh green beans as my only vegetable every day for years. And then work in those foods that are must haves for happiness :)

Also, repetitive eating is actually supposed to help with weight. Having basically the same, but enjoyable, breakfast and lunch apparently lessens over consumption.

And my feelings about bacon: I saw one of those little signs in a cutesy shop that said, I love you more than bacon. I held it up to my husband and said, high praise, indeed.

Strangely prior to WLS I didn't like fish much but my tastes changed. Back then it was mostly chicken on my to-go list, some beef, some pork. But protein rich foods are rarely what causes weight gain for me. With them it is the breading or the added rich sauces (and cheese).

My BIGGEST downfall has always been sweets, especially baked goods and pies, though a warm soft bread is always in my wheelhouse. I guess that is why the new WW is working for me. I am using lots of fruit to give me the sweetness I need. I have found that I like cooked fruits WAY more than raw ones. I never thought I liked fruit much but that was because I thought of the raw version. Cooked strawberry and blueberry compote (made with artificial sweetener) is always around now. I ALWAYS have zero point lemon/blueberry pie in the refrigerator as well as the blueberry muffins that Cecily gave us the recipe for a few months ago. If I really want something that feels like my old favorites, I add blueberry compote to the pie or heat a muffin with extra blueberries for something like cobbler. I also eat a banana/egg pancake most mornings. And there is always baked apple with artificial sweetener and cinnamon.

So that is why I haven't felt like I was dieting on WW - because I am still feeding my sweet tooth. Which reminds me that I have to make my blueberry lemon pie now as I had the last slice last night.

i remember you mentioning sweets being your "downfall", but didn't realize you still regularly satisfied your sweet tooth in more healthy ways. For some reason, I though you used a daily ration of wine to get you through the sweet cravings. This is good for me to know and mull over. Thank you sooooooo much for telling me about the inclusion of sweet tasting foods in your daily life.

Would you share the recipes for the zero point blueberry lemon pie and the banana egg pancakes? Thanks!