02/03/21, Wednesday

Loving the new sewing machine ! I'll have the old one tuned up as a backup. We had about 18" of snow over 24 hours and we are expecting more Sunday. Comments in the last few days have underscored the value of all of the work each of us has done around our relationship with food. We are so much more tuned in to our bodies and what works to keep us healthy. The sudden isolation, food scarcity and decrease in formal activity are throwing so many for such a loop because of lack of experience. We have learned from frequent objective status self-checks, willingness to consider new strategies and the acceptance that normal has NEVER been healthy to aspire to. So grateful for VSG and to all of you !!

Good morning Diane! Good luck with the snow - I can't say I miss it.

I am currently doing the vaccine appointment competition on the Publix website. I had my computer ready at 4 am and it still hasn't opened up for me to make an appointment. I really don't understand how it works and am getting very tired of this game. It makes one feel like giving up on getting a vaccine. Though now they are saying that not only are they not sure that those who had Covid have more than 90 days of immunity, but may be able to get the variants. Ughhhh... I don't want to gamble with getting it again and yet this vaccine appointment ridiculousness feels like gambling too.

Today is busy: Early morning vaccine nonsense, walking with my friends, run an errand, finish packing for Mike's, Zoom call with friends, hair cut/color, driving to Mike's, Dinner at his clubhouse. So no boredom today.

Have a safe and healthy day!

Weight 190.6

I read a book most of the day yesterday. Even a bit sitting outside on a lounger as the weather was nice. I skipped my walk as a result, so will walk today for sure.

I've started my iron supplements and learned something new. Iron mg numbers are very confusing! There is mgs of the type of iron (ferrous sulfate, fumarate, gluconate, etc) and then there's mgs of elemental iron. 325mg of ferrous sulfate has 65mg of elemental iron. 325mg of ferrous fumarate has 108mg of elemental iron. My doctor told me to take 325mg of ferrous sulfate, but the chewables I have already (but rarely took) are fumarate. I figured that you only need 60% of the dose of fumarate to equal the sulfate because it has more elemental iron, but that was abiut 6 of the 30mg chewables I had. But that seemed like a lot. I went on the manufacturer's website and noticed in small print that "All iron dosages are listed as elemental levels". This was nowhere on the bottle. So I actually only needed two 30mg chewables to be about the same as one 325mg sulfate pill. The lack of clear labeling is a recipe for iron toxicity! And I saw a comment on the site from a woman so excited to get to eat 5 of the chewables every day. She made the same mistake and was getting way too much iron. Seems like the FDA needs to overhaul their iron supplements labeling rules.

Love seeing you start us off, Diane! Your positivity is shining through.

I do find iron supplements so confusing. Because I haven't had periods for 17 years, the multi vitamin is usually enough for me. But sometimes I get mildly anemic and then it's so confusing what to buy.

Taking vitamin C with it is supposed to help too. My doctor told me to use Vitron C, but it has carbonyl iron (whatever that is).

Yes! My chewables have vitamin C in them. Also coffee or tea, food or calcium before or after can cut absorption by as much as 50-60%. Supplements are a lot of work!

I did my exercise yesterday. It felt great. Today I have a doctor's appointment right after work. I'm meeting with the doctor who will potentially be my new PCP. Hope I like her!

155.6. Arrgh. And I even tried to limit taco ring.

Feeling pretty anxious again. Today was layoff day. Again. If it seems like layoffs are about every other week, you aren't wrong. There have been 3 since April. It's just very hard to live with that unknown. Especially since we are a 1 income family currently. It almost feels like intentional infliction of emotional distress. But so hard to leave when you have a job, it's very good. I'm thankful DH survived, and I know DH is very relieved. And I want to be grateful. But honestly sometimes I feel like...until next time.

It's just been a totally crappy month. crappy year. I wish I could look past it but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. The dread is palpable. We need good days and sunshine rays and friends and parties and all the things that keep life bright. Step son was over here yesterday and commenting on how we should all continue with mask usage after all of this, as a matter of hygiene. And eat a plant based diet. Count me out of that future.

I hope we can all get vaccinated/herd immunity/combination and all go out for a cheeseburger :D

Speaking of, I think we're going out to dinner to say "whew." DH said he could just "relax here tonight." I said "are you kidding? We have two toddlers"

I will not wear a mask a minute longer than absolutely necessary, acknowledging that now it's necessary. Nor will I wear two at a time. Or three. And I'd gladly join you for a cheeseburger when we can!

Good Morning All

Its been a while and there has been lots going on - moreso a ton to process on many fronts of my life. I will put a post up on TT with more detail as a lot of it is very personal

My weight is up as I have been comfort eating - why do I continually turn back to food when things start becoming stressful! Its an ongoing battle of which I am sure all of you can relate too..... I need to get my head in a clearer space in order to deal with it all. Feeling very overwhelmed and overloaded at present.

For now, I am in Brisbane. DH came up for close to a month for business and I decided on Monday that I would use air mile points and join him for a week. Change of scenery and some time to be away from it all. I will work from his apartment then we can spend time together in the evenings. The weekend I have planned to catch up with a friend from High School, dinner with our old neighbours and then we have a work BBQ at one of the guys homes on Sunday

Plans today are to work till 2pm then I will go for a wander around the city till DH gets home from work. They walk each night around the river so I will join them and then we will go to dinner. Im quite looking forward to it.

I have tried to go back and read on whats been happening in everyones lives. And send much love and aussie hugs to you all

I had best go get some work done but I will be back posting each day or as close too as I can. I need you wonderful group of people very much xxx