Best Of

Well, I still haven't had even one AF day this month. I know that it isn't always the best way. But, I think I need to just cold-turkey it. This isn't my first rodeo and I don't think I'm that bad. I haven't been experiencing shakes or major anxiety. Of course, there will be some discomfort, but it's unavoidable. I keep telling myself that I'll quit tomorrow or someday. But, I think we all know "Someday Never Comes!"

I want to start posting some positive numbers again and get back to living. Believe me…drinking everyday…is not living!

😀 Ginny, you have been a real hero with all the challenges to your recovery. Your attitude is inspiring.

😀 Heather, your move to Hove has brought you so many blessings.

😀 Michele, after my mother died and we moved into her house, we found out that the deck was unstable and needed to be replaced. At that time (1991) the cost was over $30,000. I asked Jake what would happen if we didn't replace it and he said that either we couldn't use it or someone would step in the wrong place and be seriously injured. I can't even imagine what it would cost today. The bigger the house, the bigger the maintenance woes.

😀 Kay, you learned a good life less and it cost only $20.00

😀 Lisa, I love reading your post every day

☹️ Tracey, sorry you lost so much sleep.

🤩 From "Outer Order-Inner Calm"

"Don't walk into a store unless you're looking for something"

🎵 Barbie in NW WA

Oouuff! Yesterday was a marathon, but it all went well and I think the kids enjoyed themselves. They certainly loved the pancake lunch! John took them out to the park for an hour or so in the afternoon, to play cricket. They invented board games, we did art, and they loved John's Easter Quiz. Max joined in all the activities, apart from the art, and was very patient with the two girls, telling funny stories to make them laugh. They were funny.😝

After early dinner, we got on the bus to take them home. They settled down to a bit of TV and ipads, and put themselves to bed, because they have school tomorrow! The parents got back at 10. So, it was 12 hours in all. I was OK, except my back started to twinge, after cooking 16 pancakes, and doing art. I must do more back exercises. 🙄

Up in London, the parents had an Indian lunch, went to an art gallery, mocktails on the roof, and a concert of Vivaldi's Four Seasons at St Martin-in-the-Fields. They came home very happy.

My son brought us home, where John and I relaxed for a while with a recorded TV favourite, and a Pernod. Late to bed, but with a sense of achievement.

We are back today with picking up Bea from school. How lucky we are! 🕺💃

So sorry to read about so many horrible medical woes. I hope you all make good recoveries, and the ailing husbands. 💖

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Kay, I agree with Barbara. We are only responsible for our own actions not the actions of others. You weren't stupid; you were being kind.

I hear you about the grocery store, though.

Flea

Willamette Valley OR

Hmm my new thing is grinding on my minimalistic mind. So will think of another way to organize my food.

This morning went to the gym with husband. Walked 30 minutes. Still getting used to my new med, spirolactone so keeping it easy. I also exercise fasted so another layer of carefulness. Side effects of this drug is blood pressure going too low, fainting. My blood pressure before exercising was 136/89. After it was 102/80. Keeping a log for dermatologist.

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Ok, first, breathe. Remember they are FAMILY, not enemies whose goal is to harm you. They are loved ones who want to include you in their life.

Does this make it easier? Probably not. But it does help set us up for allowing some changes in the way we live our lives, at least for a short time.

If they insist on bringing in foods you want to avoid, I suggest setting aside one cabinet or pantry where they store their stuff (chips, cookies, etc) so it's not on the counter or table all the time. Asking them to only eat it when you're not in the room may meet with resistance, but at least as guests they can agree to store their food items between meals.

Eating out can feel like a calorie trap, but virtually everywhere you go there are ways you can eat, if not healthy, at least better. Most fast food places offer grilled versions of sandwiches rather than fried, and some offer salads or fruit as alternatives to fries and tater tots. Restaurants are usually willing to work with dietary requests like agreeing to grill meats, or put heavy sauces/gravies/salad dressings in a side dish you can dip food in instead of smother. Also, restaurant meals are often twice a normal portion size, so try asking the waiter to set aside half the food in a to-go container before it even gets to the table. Swap out sodas for water or unsweetened tea, and you can still be with the family, sharing stories and laughing at inside jokes, without ruining your calorie plans for the day.

And here's the kicker: what's the worst that will happen if you do go over calories by a small margin, but are still at or below maintenance? You either stay the same weight, or you lose but at a slower rate than normal. We're in this for the long haul, the rest of our life; not only does a few weeks not matter compared to future decades, but we need to remember the key word here: LIFE. Don't let the pursuit of losing weight alienate and destroy your LIFE with family. For the next 4 weeks, you can embrace the people in your family without having to embrace every part of their lifestyle, or demanding that they adopt your new lifestyle completely.

Am I giving the impression to stop every new habit you've been working to develop and just go glutton for the next month? I hope not, that's not my intent. I just hope that your time with family is remembered from the stories you share, the experiences you share, because one day one or more of them will no longer be able to spend time with you, whether from moving away or other, more permanent reasons. You and your body will still be here; dial the intensity back, love the ones you're with, be a good example through the changes you've made rather than nagging at them to change.

So I am gonna do a new thing. In my head it will be marvelous! So I am buying 5 containers and label them the days of the week. Weekends are whatever. I will portion out my things, then just take out a container to figure out what I am eating for the day. Anything that is in freezer and frig, I will just list on index cards and throw in the containers. I will take photos.😂🙃

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Heather - it sounds like a wonderful day to me. You and John do such a wonderful job of keeping them entertained, that’s hard to do sometimes.

Ginny - I think we all have the tendency to complain with health woes because they interrupt our life so much.

Lisa - I think your brother is a smart man.
I should call my brother this weekend. I have talked to him twice this year and think I should try to keep up on a monthly basis. I miss him. We were never overly close even though it was only the two of us. He enjoyed being at home with our parents and grandparents and I enjoyed being gone. I still would go do something every night if I only had me to think about. I moved out for the most part when he was only 12 and I was 16.
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned the last few years is to not push so hard. It’s made a huge difference in how I feel overall.

Margaret - I read everything you write and I admire your dedication.

Rebecca - I would have enjoyed your Mom. My grandmother tried to teach me good posture. I really wish I had listened.

Lanette - it’s so amazing how just the smallest changes make us feel better. I hug a pillow now too.

I went for a walk tonight, first time in almost two years. I only did 21 mins, but thought I would start a little slower so I can keep it up.

I came back and made a card for a coworker. She is always telling groaner jokes. This is my own spin on a design I saw online.

Tracey in Edmonton